A current divider circuit is an electrical circuit that is designed to split an incoming current into multiple parallel paths, with each path carrying a portion of the total current. This is achieved by connecting resistors or other components in parallel within the circuit. The primary purpose of a current divider is to distribute the total current among the various branches according to their respective resistance values.
The ability of a current divider circuit to split current depends on the relative resistances of the components within the parallel branches. According to Ohm's law (V = I * R), where V is voltage, I is current, and R is resistance, the current flowing through a resistor is inversely proportional to its resistance. This means that a branch with lower resistance will carry more current than a branch with higher resistance.
In a current divider circuit, the current through each branch can be calculated using the following formula:
I_branch = (V_source / R_branch)
Where:
I_branch is the current flowing through a specific branch.
V_source is the source voltage connected to the circuit.
R_branch is the resistance of the component in that branch.
By adjusting the resistance values of the components in each parallel branch, you can control the distribution of current. Smaller resistances will allow more current to flow through a branch, while larger resistances will restrict current flow.
It's important to note that in a practical current divider circuit, the internal resistance of the components and the voltage source, as well as potential variations in the components, can affect the accuracy of current division. Therefore, while current division can be achieved using this circuit arrangement, it may not always be perfectly precise due to these real-world factors.