Voltage Dividers

Introduction: Sometimes electrical systems will have multiple loads on them, and we need these electrical systems to be able to handle these loads. In this lab we will test out what kind of loads are possible on a circuit of this configuration.

This is "equivalent" of the circuit we will be assembling.

Step 1: Do the calculations

Step 2: Measure components.

Here are the actual ratings for the 3 1k resistors

More information

Step 3: Build the circuit on the breadboard.

This is a picture of us assembling the circuit.

The complete circuit.

Step 4: Take measurements of Req, Vbus, Ibus, and calculate Pload.

Us writing down measurements of Req,Vbus, and Ibus.

Data Table for this lab

Questions:
a. 2 Load calculation: P = VI = (11.58 mA)*(5.78 V) = 66.9 mW

b.

Load	Voltage (V)	Variation (%)
1 Load	6.07	-8.42
2 Load	5.78	-15.02
3 Load	5.52	-24.59

The voltages are not within 5% due to the unregulated power supply. Originally the power supply was measured to be 6.00 V. If the load increases, V changes which changes the values for VBus.

c. V_Bus,min = R_eq*V_s/(R_s + R_eq).
New R_eq = 1/4 kΩ.
V_s = 6.07 V,
R_s = 43.5 Ω
V_Bus,min = 5.52 V
The new variation using V_s = 6V would be -9.92 %.

d. Variation by 1% = 5.94 V < V_s < 6.06 V
V_s = 6.10 V
R_s = 10.3 Ω