AC Voltage Divider

The two impedance voltage divider is used often to supply a voltage different from that of an available AC signal source. In application the output voltage depends upon the impedance of the load it drives. This calculation makes use of the complex impedance method and the expressions for parallel impedances. This type of calculation is used to set up an AC Thevenin equivalent for network analysis.

For impedances Z1 = + j Z2 = + j driven by voltage V1 = V, the open circuit output voltage would be Vout = + j V Vout = V at degrees.

If this voltage divider is supplying a load ZL = + j then the output circuit voltage is Vout = + j V Vout = V at degrees.

Note: To avoid dealing with so many short circuits, divider resistors with value zero will default to 1 when the voltage is changed and the load will default to 1000. They can be changed back to a zero value if you wish to explore the effects of short circuits. Ohms are indicated as the resistance unit, but kilohms are more common and of course the calculation is the same.