{"id":25034,"date":"2019-10-09T11:46:19","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T03:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=25034"},"modified":"2019-11-13T16:26:18","modified_gmt":"2019-11-13T08:26:18","slug":"voltage-dividers-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/09\/voltage-dividers-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Voltage Dividers &#8211; Circuits, Equation and Applications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The voltage divider also known as the Potential Divider, is a very common simple circuit which is used to change a large voltage into a small voltage. Through this article, you will learn about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What is a Voltage Divider?<\/li><li>Voltage Divider Circuits<\/li><li>Voltage Divider Equation \/ Formula<\/li><li>Applications of Voltage Dividers <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Voltage Divider?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Passive Linear Circuit that produces output voltage that is a fraction of its input voltage.<\/li><li>It scales down input voltage to a smaller voltage based on the ratio of the 2 resistors through distributing input voltage among components of the divider.<\/li><li>Often used to supply a voltage different from an available battery or power supply. <\/li><li>Output voltage of voltage divider is dependent on the resistance of the incoming load. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voltage Divider Circuit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-12.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25035\" width=\"399\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-12.jpg 522w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-12-300x170.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><figcaption>Ref: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khanacademy.org\/science\/electrical-engineering\/ee-circuit-analysis-topic\/ee-resistor-circuits\/a\/ee-voltage-divider\">KhanAcademy<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A voltage divider circuit will normally look like this in a circuit with a series of 2 resistors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>R1 = Resistor closest to input voltage (Vin)<\/li><li>R2 = Resistor closest to ground <\/li><li> V<sub>in<\/sub>= Input Voltage<\/li><li> V<sub>out<\/sub> = Output voltage across R2 which is the divided voltage (1\/4 of input voltage)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voltage Divider Formula \/ Equation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Equation to find the output voltage of a Divider Circuit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TOP-20-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25195\" width=\"335\" height=\"89\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>R2 \/ R1 + R2 = Ratio determines scale factor of scaled down voltage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example,  <br>V<sub>in<\/sub> = 100, R<sub>1<\/sub>= 20, R<sub>2<\/sub>= 10  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the help of a calculator you should get: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TOP-20-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25197\" width=\"360\" height=\"77\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TOP-20-2.jpg 318w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/TOP-20-2-300x64.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voltage Divider Rule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The voltage division rule states that: <strong>The voltage divided between two series resistors, are in direct proportion to their resistance<\/strong><\/li><li>Which means your circuit can have more than 2 resistors!<\/li><li>Voltage Divider Rule Formula: <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"210\" height=\"72\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-21.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25109\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Example of Voltage Divider Rule Equation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-23.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25111\" width=\"287\" height=\"182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-23.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-23-300x190.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 287px) 100vw, 287px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"223\" height=\"71\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-24.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25112\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"221\" height=\"68\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-25.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25113\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"227\" height=\"68\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-26.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25114\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"59\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-27.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25115\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ohm&#8217;s Law<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we can use Ohm&#8217;s Law to calculate the voltage flowing through each resistor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Equation for Ohm&#8217;s Law = E = IR <ul><li>E = Current across each resistor <\/li><li>I = Circuit Current<\/li><li>R = Resistance<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-20.jpg\" alt=\"Ohm Law \" class=\"wp-image-25108\" width=\"298\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-20.jpg 447w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-20-300x231.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 298px) 100vw, 298px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td>R1<\/td><td>R2<\/td><td>R3<\/td><td>Total<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>E (Volts)<\/td><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>10<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>15<\/strong><\/td><td>30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I (Amps)<\/td><td>2.5m<\/td><td>2.5<\/td><td>2.5m<\/td><td>2.5m<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>R (Ohms)<\/td><td>2K<\/td><td>4K<\/td><td>6K<\/td><td>12K<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, the current across each resistor is 5V, 10V and 15V respectively!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Simplified Equations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If R1 = R2,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codecogs.com\/eqnedit.php?latex=Vout&space;=&space;\\frac{1}{2}&space;*Vin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/latex.codecogs.com\/gif.latex?Vout&space;=&space;\\frac{1}{2}&space;*Vin\" alt=\"\" width=\"187\" height=\"55\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you are solving for R1,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codecogs.com\/eqnedit.php?latex=R1&space;=&space;\\frac{R2*Vin}{Vout}-R2=R2*(\\frac{Vin}{Vout}-1)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/latex.codecogs.com\/gif.latex?R1&space;=&space;\\frac{R2*Vin}{Vout}-R2=R2*(\\frac{Vin}{Vout}-1)\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"57\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you are solving for R2,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codecogs.com\/eqnedit.php?latex=R2&space;=&space;R1&space;*(\\frac{1}{\\frac{Vin}{Vout}-1})\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/latex.codecogs.com\/gif.latex?R2&space;=&space;R1&space;*(\\frac{1}{\\frac{Vin}{Vout}-1})\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"73\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Applications of Voltage Dividers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Voltage dividers circuits are very common and are found in many applications. Here are a few examples of where a Voltage Divider circuit is found:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potentiometer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A potentiometer is passive electronic component with a sliding or rotating function that acts as an adjustable voltage divider. <\/li><li>The voltage input is applied across the entire length of the Potentiometer and output voltage (voltage drop) is controlled with the fixed and sliding contact of the potentiometer.<\/li><li>There are two types of Potentiometer<ul><li>Rotary Potentiometers (Rotary Knob)<\/li><li>Linear Potentiometer (Slider)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Here at Seeed, we offer both types! <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Slide-Potentiometer-p-1196.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Slide Potentiometer<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-14.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25040\" width=\"202\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-14.jpg 483w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-14-300x250.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><figcaption><br><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><\/li><li>How does it work?<ul><li>The manual wiper which is movable, touches a resistive strip of material. When it is moved up closer to terminal 1 and away from terminal 2, resistance is lowered to terminal 1 while resistance is raised at terminal 2 and vice versa. <\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>The potentiometer is useful to help achieve a variable voltage from a fixed-voltage source. It can connect the outer terminals of a potentiometer across the voltage source and control the voltage you need between your potentiometer and one of the outer terminals for your circuit.<\/li><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Slide-Potentiometer-p-1196.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Slide Potentiometer<\/a> incorporates a linear variable resistor with a maximum resistance of 10K\u03a9. As the slider moves, the output voltage will range from 0 V to the Vcc you apply.<\/li><li>It connects to other Grove modules through a standard 4-pin Grove Cable.<\/li><li>Below is an image of the Potentiometer schematic diagram:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-15.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25042\" width=\"207\" height=\"239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-15.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-15-260x300.jpg 260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It has many purposes like being an Adjustable Resistor, standalone, voltage divider with Arduino or even as a human interface device (HID) which means it can be used to control a car!<\/li><li>Some projects you can do with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Slide-Potentiometer-p-1196.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Slide Potentiometer\u00a0<\/a> are like making your very own Beatbox or Boombox with Arduino!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Rotary-Angle-Sensor-P.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Rotary Angle Sensor(P) <\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-17.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25048\" width=\"215\" height=\"207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-17.jpg 307w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-17-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Grove-Rotary Angle Sensor (P) is capable of producing analog output between 0 and Vcc (5V DC with Seeeduino) on its D1 connector.<\/li><li>With a resistance value at 10k Ohms, it is perfect for Arduino use.<\/li><li>It is supported on all MCU platforms like Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Wio and also LinkIt ONE. <\/li><li>One of the projects that you can do with this potentiometer is using it to control your LEDs brightness<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/img_20171107_174949_NXzXb9oKIG.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25049\" width=\"307\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/img_20171107_174949_NXzXb9oKIG.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/img_20171107_174949_NXzXb9oKIG-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/img_20171107_174949_NXzXb9oKIG-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px\" \/><figcaption> Using Arduino to control the brightness of an LED through Grove-Rotary Angle Sensor(P)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Interested? You can check out the projects ideas here and also for more detailed information on our wiki page:                                     <a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Rotary_Angle_Sensor\/\">Grove &#8211; Rotary Angle Sensor Wiki<\/a><\/li><li>Want to know more about Potentiometer Functions, types, etc? Check out our other blog about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/22\/potentiometer-functions-types-and-applications\/\">Potentiometer &#8211; Functions, Types and Applications!<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Voltage-Divider.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Voltage Divider<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25043\" width=\"258\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-16.jpg 516w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-16-300x219.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Voltage-Divider.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Voltage Divider<\/a> provides an interface for measuring external voltage which eliminates the need to connect a resistance to input interface<\/li><li>With a dial switch, you can easily select the voltage gain which makes it simple to use.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resistive Sensors Reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Most sensors are simple resistive devices like our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Infrared-Reflective-Sensor-v1.2-p-2791.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Infrared Reflective Sensor.<\/a> However, most of them are only able to read voltage but not resistance.<\/li><li>By adding another resistor to the circuit, we are able to create a voltage divider together with the sensor.<\/li><li>As we are able to check the output of the voltage divider, we can now calculate the amount of resistance of the sensor.<\/li><li>An example of the circuit is as shown below where R2 is a resistive sensor: <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.seeedstudio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-18.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25053\" width=\"261\" height=\"221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-18.jpg 445w, https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Capture-18-300x254.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/><figcaption>Ref: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allaboutcircuits.com\/tools\/voltage-divider-calculator\/\">AllAboutCircuits<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>For example, the resistive sensor is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Temperature-Sensor.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Grove &#8211; Temperature Sensor<\/a> which is a thermistor with a room temperature resistance of 350\u00a0\u03a9 where the resistance of R1 is fixed at 350 \u03a9  <\/li><li>Using the Voltage Divider Equation: <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.codecogs.com\/eqnedit.php?latex=Vout&amp;space;=&amp;space;\\frac{R1}{R1&amp;plus;R2}&amp;space;*Vin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/latex.codecogs.com\/gif.latex?Vout&amp;space;=&amp;space;\\frac{R1}{R1&amp;plus;R2}&amp;space;*Vin\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"61\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><tbody><tr><th>Temperature<\/th><th>Vin (Fixed)     <\/th><th>R2<\/th><th>R1         <\/th><th>R2 \/<br> (R1+R2)<\/th><th>Vout<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Cold<\/td><td>5V<\/td><td>300 \u03a9<br><\/td><td>350 \u03a9<\/td><td>0.46<\/td><td>2.3V<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Room Temperature<\/td><td>5V<\/td><td>350 \u03a9<\/td><td>350 \u03a9<\/td><td>0.5<\/td><td>2.5V<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hot<\/td><td>5V<\/td><td>400 \u03a9<\/td><td>350 \u03a9<\/td><td>0.53<\/td><td>2.65V<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Level Shifters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What happens when a sensor and a microcontroller with two different voltage meets? Without the voltage leveled down, for example, directly interfacing a 5V logic output microcontroller to a 3.3V input sensor can cause damage to your 3.3V circuit.<\/li><li>This is where the hero: A voltage divider comes in and saves the day acting as a level shifter which interfaces two circuits that use different operating voltages. <\/li><li>The voltage divider can help level the voltage down from a microcontroller (eg. 5V to 3.3V) to avoid damage to the sensor which makes it safe for the sensor to handle.<\/li><li>Do take note that the voltage divider can only work in one direction: level down voltages but not leveling up. <\/li><li>Here is a table of resistor combinations for leveling down commonly encountered voltages:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter\"><tbody><tr><th>Resistor Combination<\/th><th>Voltages to be leveled down<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>4.7 k\u03a9 and 3.9 k\u03a9<\/td><td>9V to 5V<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.6 k\u03a9 and 9.1 k\u03a9<\/td><td>12V to 3.3V<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.3 k\u03a9 and 5.7 k\u03a9<\/td><td>9V to 3.3V<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Do note that it is not recommended using a voltage divider to level down a large load like 12V to 5V as they are not meant to supply such power to a load as with such a load, it may melt the resistor. (You can use voltage regulators instead like our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/Adjustable-DC-DC-Power-Converter-1-25V-35V-3-p-1534.html?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog\">Adjustable DC&amp;DC Power Converter (1.25V &#8211; 35V&amp;3A)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With all the knowledge of Voltage Divider in your hands, you are able to turn any voltage into a smaller one like a magician! Want to test your skills by making your very own Voltage Divider project? Here are some project ideas to get you started using a potentiometer and an Arduino to create a beatbox or a boombox on our wiki page: <a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.seeedstudio.com\/Grove-Slide_Potentiometer\/\">Grove &#8211; Slide Potentiometer Wiki<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The voltage divider also known as the Potential Divider, is a very common simple circuit<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2781,"featured_media":25064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1678,1114],"class_list":["post-25034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-resistor-divider","tag-voltage-divider"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.0 - 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