A current divider circuit is an electrical circuit configuration that allows a single current source to be divided or split into multiple paths, with each path carrying a fraction of the total current. This is achieved by connecting resistive elements in parallel. The purpose of a current divider is to distribute the current among multiple branches in a controlled manner, based on the resistance values of the components in each branch.
In a simple parallel circuit configuration, such as the one used in a current divider, the current entering the circuit splits into multiple branches. According to Ohm's Law (V = I * R), the current through a branch is inversely proportional to the resistance of that branch. This means that a branch with higher resistance will carry less current, while a branch with lower resistance will carry more current.
The formula to calculate the current through a specific branch in a current divider circuit is:
branch
=
source
branch
I
branch
=
R
branch
V
source
Where:
branch
I
branch
is the current through the specific branch.
source
V
source
is the voltage provided by the current source.
branch
R
branch
is the resistance of the branch.
By adjusting the resistance values of the branches in a current divider circuit, you can control the current distribution among the branches. This concept is commonly used in various applications, such as electronics, where you might want to power multiple components with different current requirements from a single source.
It's important to note that the total current entering the circuit will be the sum of the currents in all the branches:
total
=
branch
1
+
branch
2
+
…
+
branch
I
total
=I
branch
1
+I
branch
2
+…+I
branch
n
In summary, a current divider circuit is a configuration that enables the controlled division of a single current source into multiple paths using resistive elements in parallel. This division of current is based on the relative resistance values of the branches, allowing for tailored current distribution among different parts of a circuit.