Many simple circuits can be categorized as being either a series circuit, parallel circuit, or a combination series-parallel circuit. To the contrary, analysis of Wheatstone bridge circuits is comparatively difficult, because no clear cut series-parallel relationship exists between its component resistors: Thevenin’s theorem enables us to analyze the circuit with convenience via removal of theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Thevenizing a Wheatstone Bridge Circuit”
Category Archives: Mathematics
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Thevenin Voltage and Resistance Determination
Now that a conceptual understanding of Thevenin’s theorem has been established, we are ready to determine the Thevenin voltage ( VTH ) and Thevenin resistance ( RTH ) for an open circuit: The equivalent voltage will represent a system in which the voltage source ( Vs ) has been replaced by a voltage that “Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Thevenin Voltage and Resistance Determination“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: A Conceptual Analysis of Thevenin’s Theorem
A physical system would be meaningless without an observer. Conclusions about electrical systems are oftentimes made from the vantage point of the source ( Vs ), but this need not be the case. If a portion of a circuit is “ opened “, an observer can view the source and other components from the newlyContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: A Conceptual Analysis of Thevenin’s Theorem“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Thevenin’s Theorem and Equivalent Circuits
In the diagram below, a circuit is placed within a box. Next, the circuit is opened on the opposite end of the voltage source inside so that two output terminals are visible. The current ( I ) and potential difference ( V ) in relation to the newly created output terminals is then measured: TheContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Thevenin’s Theorem and Equivalent Circuits“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge and Sensor Technology
A transducer is an electronic device that measures physical parameters such as mechanical strain, pressure, optical density, and/or temperature. If temperature is being measured, an instrument called a thermistor acts as a variable resistor at the R1 location of a Wheatstone bridge. At a known neutral temperature, a zero reference voltage ( Vout ) valueContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Unbalanced Wheatstone Bridge and Sensor Technology“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Balanced Wheatstone Bridge
The voltage ( V ) drops across parallel-circuit resistors ( R ) are equal in magnitude; conversely, the currents ( I ) traveling through parallel branches may or may not be the same. For this reason, parallel circuits are sometimes referred to as being current dividers. Take the following diagram into consideration: Since the R1Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Balanced Wheatstone Bridge“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Bleeder Current in Multi-Tap Voltage-Divider Circuits
Adding a tap to a series circuit alters the untapped voltage ( V ) output across the resistor ( R ) downstream of it. We will now expand our studies to be inclusive of multi-tap voltage-divider circuits. The objective is to determine the magnitude of the bleeder current ( I3 ) flowing through the lowermostContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Bleeder Current in Multi-Tap Voltage-Divider Circuits“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 2 )
In a previous exercise, we saw how the addition of a stiff voltage divider to a two-resistor series circuit lowers the voltage ( V ) drop across the lattermost resistor. We are now ready to examine this phenomena with a circuit that contains unequal resistor values: Q: a. What is the unloaded output voltage? b.Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 2 )“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 1 )
A series circuit that contains two equal-value resistors ( R ) will split the amount of work ( J ) done by the charges equally: Prior to arrival at R1, a coulomb of charged particles ( I ) will contain 10.0 J of energy available to perform work. After passing through R1, the charges willContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Dividers With Resistive Loads ( Part 1 )“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Divider Principle in Series-Parallel Circuits
The voltage-divider formula is expressed as follows: Vx = ( Rx / RT )( Vs ) This formula is used to determine how series resistors ( R ) split voltage drops apart as current passes through them. The net voltage drop across a series circuit’s resistors is always ( ignoring small losses ) equal toContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Voltage Divider Principle in Series-Parallel Circuits“