voltage divider


noun Electricity.

a resistor or series of resistors connected to a voltage source and used to provide voltages that are fractions of that of the source.
Also called potential divider, potentiometer.

Origin of voltage divider

First recorded in 1920–25

Definition for potential divider (2 of 2)

potential divider

noun Electricity.

British Dictionary definitions for potential divider (1 of 2)

voltage divider

noun

another name for a potential divider

British Dictionary definitions for potential divider (2 of 2)

potential divider

noun

a tapped or variable resistor or a chain of fixed resistors in series, connected across a source of voltage and used to obtain a desired fraction of the total voltage Also called: voltage divider

Scientific definitions for potential divider

voltage divider

A set of two or more resistors connected in series between an applied voltage, so that the voltage at points between the resistors is a fixed fraction of the applied voltage. Voltage dividers are common in the power supplies of devices such as amplifiers, in which different subcomponents require different voltage levels for their own power supplies.