Design Example

Objective

Designing a voltage divider circuit. The desired voltage ratio = 0.6.

Assumptions

As shown in Figure 10.3, the voltage divider is connected to a source vs with a source resistance Rs and a voltmeter with a resistance Rm. Ideally, Rs = 0 and Rm = , however, practically the values could be as follows: Rs = 100 and Rm = 10 k.

Components

Use to resistances R1 and R2 to accomplish the voltage divider.

Procedure

1. Determine the voltage v for the ideal case.
2. Determine the voltage v for the practical case.
3. Determine the error.
4. Minimize the error and then determine R1 and R2.

Figure 10.3 Circuit of a Voltage Divider.

               

Content and Pedagogy© 2004, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Education
Design and Production © 2004, University of Ottawa, Centre for e-Learning