Experiment # 4:

Voltage Divider Circuits and Current Divider Circuits

Group 3

Diwa, Benedict Joseph E. 2020100827@dhvsu.edu.ph

Evangelista, Mark Daniel V. 2020101033@dhvsu.edu.ph

Garcia, Joland D. 2020101030@dhvsu.edu.ph

Guanlao, Raphael 2020100981@dhvsu.edu.ph

INTRODUCTION:

The voltage divider is one simple series circuit of resistors. Its fixed fraction of its input
voltage is the output voltage. And two resistors determine the divide-down ratio. - Willy
McAllister. Voltage Division Rule tells us that the total voltage applied on a connection of
multiple resistors in series is divided with the resistors in proportional to their resistance value.
This means, a maximum voltage drop will flow to the resistor having that has a maximum value
of resistance. Likewise, it will be a minimum for the resistor which has the lowest value of
resistance. Voltage Division Rule basically tells us about the voltage drop among individual
resistance in a series circuit’s connected resistance. Moreover, the voltage output is proportional
to the resistance value because as the resistance increases it will produce higher voltage drop.
This rule is applicable for both AC and DC circuits. However, while applying this rule in the AC
circuit, the impedance value must be considered instead of the resistance value due to obvious
reasons.
Let us consider a single-loop consisting of a voltage source and 2 resistors connected in a
series. Since in a series network, the current flowing on both resistors is the same, therefore we
V
can say that I s=I R =I R . By application of Ohm’s Law, we can derive current I using
1 2
R
V s V1 V2
therefore, we can make I s=I R =I R into = = . If we manipulate this algebraic equation
1 2
R T R 1 R2
we will come up into: V s V2
=
V s V1 R T R2
=
R T R1
By using cross multiplication:
V 2=
R2 V s
( )
∨V 1=
R2
V

( )
R1 V s R1 RT RT s
V 1= ∨V 1= V
RT RT s
 Using this manipulation we come up to a general formula of a voltage divider rule

[V n=( )
Rn
V ] where Vn is the voltage across the nth resistor while Rn is nth resistor, RT is the
RT s
total resistance connected in series and Vs is the voltage source. By using this formula we will
not need to use ohm’s law in finding the voltage output every resistance in series connection.

On the other hand, when two or more distinct resistances are interconnected in parallel,
current division were applied in order to identify the specific current output of each resistors
connected in the circuit. It's used to figure out how current flows into a node and is split or
shared between the parallel resistors connected to it. According to the current divider rule, the
division of current across the parallel resistors is inversely proportional to their resistance.
Meaning, the higher the resistance that a parallel resistor has the lesser current flow into it.

Let us consider a single-loop consisting of a voltage source and 2 resistors connected in

parallel. Since in parallel connection, the voltage output of each resistance is the same, therefore
we can say that V s =V R =V R . By the application of Ohm’s Law, we can derive V using IR ,
1 2

therefore we can make V s =V R =V R into I S RT =I 1 R1=I 2 R2. If we manipulate this algebraic

1 2

equation we will come up into:

I S RT =I 1 R1 I S RT =I 2 R2

By using cross multiplication:

I S RT I S RT
I 1= I 2=
R1 R2

( R1 )(R2)
Remember that combination of 2 resistance in parallel is RT =R1 ∥ R 2= :
R1 + R2
(R1 )(R2 )
(R1 )( R2 ) IS
IS R 1 + R2
R1 + R2 I 2=
I 1= R2
R1

By simplification:

I 1= ( R2
I
R1 + R 2 S )
I 2=
( R1
) I
R1 + R 2 S

Using this manipulation we come up to a general formula of current divider rule

(
[ I n=
Rt
) I ] where In is the current across the nth resistor while Rn is nth resistor, Rt is the
R n+ R t S
total resistance connected in parallel excluding the resistor across the current divider output you
looking for and Is is the current source. By using this formula we will not need to use ohm’s law
in finding the current output every resistance in series connection.
Objectives:
1. To apply voltage division principle to series circuits and current division principle to parallel
circuits.
2. To verify experimentally the principle of voltage division and current division.
3. To design circuits that meets a definite voltage/current output.

Procedures:
1. A.) For the circuit shown in Figure 1, calculate and record the voltages indicated in Table 1 using
voltage division principle. (R1 = 1 kΩ , R2 = 2 kΩ, R3 = 500Ω, R4 = 4.7 kΩ, Vs = 12 V)
B.) Simulate the given circuit (Figure 1).
C.) Measure and record the voltages indicated in Table 1.
D.) Calculate the percent error. Enter your result in the space provided in Table 1.

Figure 1. Voltage Divider Circuit

2. A.) For the circuit shown in Figure 2, calculate and record the currents indicated in Table 1 using
current division principle (R5 = 1 kΩ , R6 = 2 kΩ, R7 = 500Ω, R8 = 4.7 kΩ, Is = 1A).
B.) Simulate the given circuit (Figure 2).
C.) Measure and record the currents indicated in Table 1.
D.) Calculate the percent error. Enter your result in the space provided in Table 1.

Figure 2. Current Divider Circuit

3. A.) Suppose you are required to have a voltage divider with 2.4 V output from a voltage source
12V1. Design a new voltage divider circuit using only three of the resistors used in this
experiment. Indicate on your drawing the output voltage.
B.) Simulate circuit you designed and measure the output voltage.

4. A.) Design another voltage divider circuit that gives an 8V output from a 12 V source. For this
design, use only two resistors from this experiment. Indicate on your drawing the output voltage.
B.) Simulate the circuit you designed and measure the output voltage.
 5. A.) Suppose you are required to have a current divider with 0.571 A output from a current source
of 1A. Design a new current divider circuit using only three of the resistors used in this
experiment. Indicate on your drawing the output current.
B.) Simulate the circuit you designed and measure the output current.

6. A.) Design another current divider circuit that gives a 0.176 A output from a 1A current source.
For this design, use only two resistors from this experiment. Indicate on your drawing the output
current.
B.) Simulate the circuit you designed and measure the output current.

PRESENTATION of DATA and DISCUSSION of RESULTS:

Table 1. Voltage and Current Values

Voltage (V)
Vab Vbc Vcd Vdn Van Vbn Vcn
Measured 1.465 v 2.928 v 0.732 v 6.875 v 12 v 10.535 v 7.607 v
Calculated 1.463 v 2.927 v 0.732 v 6.878 v 12 v 10.537 v 7.610 v
% Error −0.0014 % 0.0003 % 0% 0.0004 % 0% 0.0002 % −0.0587 %
Current (A)
Ibn Icn Idn Ien Iab Ibc Icd
Measured 0.269 A 0.135 A 0.539 A 0.057 A 1A 0.731 A 0.596 A
Calculated 0.269 A 0.135 A 0.539 A 0.057 A 1A 0.731 A 0.596 A
% Error 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
 This experiment shows the usage of the voltage division principle to series circuits and
the current division principle to parallel circuits. It verifies experimentally the voltage division
and current division on circuits that show the voltage/current outputs in each circuit.

Table 1(Voltage) shows the voltage division in a series circuit. Suppose we sum up all the
voltage output of all resistors. In other words, we get the summation of V ab(1.465v), Vbc(2.928v),
Vcd(0.732v), and Vdn(6.875v). By doing so, we can notice that the addition of all values is equal
to 12v which is the voltage source. Moreover, the summation of Vab (voltage output across
resistor 1) and Vbn (voltage output across resistor 1, 2, and 3 connected in series) is all also equal
to 12v. This implies that the voltage division principle follows the rule of Kirchhoff’s Voltage
Law (KVL) which states that the algebraic sum of all the branch voltages around any closed loop
in the network or circuit is zero at all instants of time . Also, in other interpretation, it is the sum
of all voltage drops or voltage output across resistors in series that is equal to the voltage source.
It says that the voltage available across a series circuit is split or shared among the passive
elements (resistors) connected to it. Furthermore, be noted that the voltage division rule is only
applicable for series circuits because, for the passive elements (resistors) in a parallel connection,
they are just sharing the same voltage output.

On the other hand, Table 1(Current) shows the current division in a parallel circuit. Suppose
we add Idn (0.539A) and Ien (0.057) to each other. The summation of the two currents is equal to
0.596A which is the Icd. Also, when we get the sum of Icd (0.596A) and Icn (0.135A), the current is
equal to 0.731 which is the Ibc. Lastly, when we get the summation of Ibc (0.731A) and Ibn
(0.269A) the equivalent current is 1A which is the I ab. As we notice, the division of the current
across the entire circuit follows the rule of Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL) which states that the
sum of current into a junction equals the sum of current out of the junction . This is due to the
fact there should no charge must be lost that why all the current entering the node split into the
current leaving the node. Furthermore, be noted that the current division rule is only suitable for
parallel circuits because, for the passive elements (resistors) in a series connection, they are just
sharing the same current output.
 As for the difference between the measured and calculated values both in Voltage and
Current, it shows that there is an agreement within the values. As the percentage error presents
that all values are very close to 0%, it implies that the theoretical computation for voltage and
current output in a circuit complements the measure values generated by the MultiSim.

Figure 3. Circuit design for 2.4 V output voltage divider of Procedure 3

In Figure 3, it requires an exact 2.4v voltage divider output across a series circuit that has
3 resistors which restrict only to the resistors we used in this experiment and a voltage source
with 12v. Given the provided condition, we should formulate a circuit composed of 3 resistors
and a voltage source. In order to do that, first, we should assume a value for the first resistor that
has a 2.4v voltage divider output, in this case, let that resistor equal to 0.5kΩ. Second, using the
R1
voltage divider rule [V out =( )V s], find for total resistance (where: V out =2.4 v , R1=0.5 kΩ,
RT
V s =12 v ). By doing the theoretical computation, the total resistance is equal to 2.5kΩ. Now, let
subtract the assumed resistance (0.05kΩ) to the total resistance. By doing so, we all know now
that 2kΩ is the combination of the two last missing resistors. Remember that it restricts only to
resistors we used in this experiment (R1 = 1 kΩ, R2 = 2 kΩ, R3 = 500Ω, and R4 = 4.7 kΩ). By
inferring to the condition, we know now that the two missing resistors are R2 = 1 kΩ and R3 = 1
kΩ.
 Figure 4. Circuit design for 8V output voltage divider of Procedure 4

In Figure 4, it requires an exact 8v voltage divider output across a series circuit that has 2
resistors which restrict only to the resistors we used in this experiment and a voltage source with
12v. Given the provided condition, we should formulate a circuit composed of 2 resistors and a
voltage source. In order to do that, first, we should assume a value for the first resistor that has a
8v voltage divider output, in this case, let that resistor equal to 2kΩ. Second, using the voltage
R1
divider rule [V out =( )V s], find for total resistance (where: V out =8 v , R1=2 kΩ , V s =12 v ). By
RT
doing the theoretical computation, the total resistance is equal to 3kΩ. Now, let subtract the
assumed resistance (2kΩ) to the total resistance in order to get the missing resistor. Now, the
equivalent value for the second resistor in 1kΩ which still included in the resistors we used in
this experiment (R1 = 1 kΩ, R2 = 2 kΩ, R3 = 500Ω, and R4 = 4.7 kΩ). Therefore, it complements
the condition.
 Figure 5. Circuit design for 0.571 A output current divider of Procedure 5

In Figure 5, it requires an exact 0.571A current divider output across a parallel circuit
that has 3 resistors which restrict only to the resistors we used in this experiment, and a current
source with 1A. Given the provided condition, we should formulate a circuit composed of 3
resistors and a current source. In order to do that, first, we should assume a value for the first
resistor that has a 0.571A current divider output, in this case, let that resistor equal to 0.5kΩ.

(
Second, using the current divider rule [ I out =
R2 ∥ R 3
) I ], find the combined resistance of R2
R 1+ R 2 ∥ R3 s
and R3 connected in parallel (where: I out =0.571 A , R1=0.5 kΩ, I s=1 A ). By doing the theoretical
computation, the combined resistance of R2 and R3 connected in parallel is equal to 0.666 kΩ.
Now, let assume that the second resistor is equal to 2kΩ then find R3 using the formula
R × R3
[R ¿ ¿ 2∥ R3 = 2 ]¿. By computation, it turns out that R3 is equal to 1kΩ. By inferring to the
R2 + R 3
condition that the 3 resistors are restricted only to the resistors we used in this experiment, the
values we get are complimenting the rule for this procedure.
 Figure 5. Circuit design for 0.176 A output current divider of Procedure 6

In Figure 6, it requires an exact 0.175A current divider output across a parallel circuit
that has 2 resistors which restrict only to the resistors we used in this experiment and a current
source with 1A. Given the provided condition, we should formulate a circuit composed of 2
resistors and a current source. In order to do that, first, we should assume a value for the first
resistor that has a 1A current divider output, in this case, let that resistor equal to 4.7kΩ. Second,

(
using the current divider rule [ I out =
R2
) I ], find for resistance of R2 (where: I out =0.175 A ,
R 1+ R 2 s
R1=4.7 kΩ, I s=1 A). By doing the theoretical computation, the total resistance is equal to 1kΩ.
Now, the equivalent value for the second resistor in 1kΩ which still included in the resistors we
used in this experiment (R1 = 1 kΩ, R2 = 2 kΩ, R3 = 500Ω, and R4 = 4.7 kΩ). Therefore, it
complements the condition.
CONCLUSION

This experiment shows the results of applying the voltage division concept to series
circuits, and current division to parallel circuits that produce a specific voltage/current output.

Voltage Division Rule tells us that the total voltage applied on a connection of multiple
resistors in series is divided with the resistors is proportional to their resistance value. Using this,
we can know the voltage output across a certain resistor without using Ohm’s Law and
computing the total current of the circuit given that the value of its resistance, total resistance,
and the voltage source is known.

On the other hand, the current divider rule can also be used to determine individual
branch currents when the total circuit current and the equivalent resistance are known. Using this
we can identify how does the current flows on the entire network of the circuit especially in a
parallel where resistors are connected across each other. Using the current divider rule, we can
compute how the current distributed along the elements or the current output of each element
without using ohm’s law given that the value of all resistance and the current source is known.

References

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