6/13/2020 Voltage Division Rule – Explanation, Formula & Derivation | Electrical Concepts

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Voltage Division Rule – Explanation, Formula &

Derivation
May 16, 2020 by admin

What is Voltage Division Rule?

Voltage Division Rule states that the total voltage applied across a series connection of multiple
resistors is divided among the resistors in proportional to their resistance. This means, the
voltage drop will be maximum across the resistor having maximum value of resistance.
Likewise, it will be minimum for resistor having lowest value of resistance.

Voltage Division Rule basically tells us about the voltage drop across individual resistance in a
series connected resistance. This rule is applicable for AC and DC circuit. However, while
applying this rule in AC circuit, impedance value should be considered instead of resistance
value due to obvious reason.

Explanation:

Let us consider the circuit below for better understanding. The circuit represents series
connection of three resistors R1, R2 and R3. The voltage across the terminals x-y is assumed V.

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6/13/2020 Voltage Division Rule – Explanation, Formula & Derivation | Electrical Concepts

We want to find the voltage drop each of the resistances. Let VR1, VR2 & VR3 be the voltage
drop across resistance R1, R2 and R3 respectively.

As per the statement of Voltage Division Rule, VR1, VR2 & VR3 should be proportional to R1, R2
and R3 respectively. Therefore, we can write

VR1 = K R1 …….(1)

VR2 = K R2 …….(2)

VR3 = K R3 …….(3)

But, total voltage V across terminal x-y must be equal to the sum of voltage drop across each of
the resistances. Hence, we can write,

V = VR1 + VR2 + VR3

Putting the value of VR1, VR2 & VR3 from (1), (2) and (3), we get

V = K (R1+ R2+ R3)

K = V / (R1+ R2+ R3)

Using (1), (2) and (3) we can find the voltage distribution across the individual resistance as
shown below.
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6/13/2020 Voltage Division Rule – Explanation, Formula & Derivation | Electrical Concepts

VR1 = V[ R1 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

VR2 = V[ R2 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

VR3 = V[ R3 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

Though the above voltage distribution has been calculated assuming three number of resistors
connected in series, the method is applicable for “n” number of series connected resistances in
DC circuit and impedance in AC circuit.

Voltage Division Rule Formula:

The formula for voltage division rule for “n” number of series connected resistance is given
below.

VR1 = V[ R1 / (R1+ R2+ R3+……+ Rn)]

VR2 = V[ R2 / (R1+ R2+ R3+……+ Rn)]

…………………………………………

…………………………………………

VRn = V[ Rn / (R1+ R2+ R3+……+ Rn)]

Carefully observe the above formula. You will notice that, if we want to find voltage across any
one of the resistances (say R1), the total voltage (V) is multiplied with the ratio of another
resistance (R1) & total resistance (R1+ R2+ R3+……+ Rn).

Derivation:

When a series combination of “n” number of resistances or impedances are connected to a

source, the source voltage gets distributed among the resistances in such a way that the
voltage drop across each of the resistance is in proportion with value of resistance. This is
because, the current through all the resistance is equal (I) and hence voltage drop (V = IR) is
only proportional to resistance.

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6/13/2020 Voltage Division Rule – Explanation, Formula & Derivation | Electrical Concepts

Let us again consider the circuit shown earlier in the post. The voltage V impressed across the
resistance is divided among the resistances. Current “I” is flowing in the circuit.

Therefore,

VR1 = IR1 …….(4)

VR2 = IR2 …….(5)

VR3 = IR3 …….(6)

Compare the information (3), (4) and (5) with information (1), (2) and (3) respectively. You will
notice that, the proportionality constant “K” is the current “I” flowing in the circuit. Now, you may
find the voltage VR1, VR2 & VR3 in the same fashion as calculated earlier in the post.

Since, V = VR1 + VR2 + VR3

Therefore,

V = I (R1+ R2+ R3)

I= V / (R1+ R2+ R3)

Using (4), (5) and (6) we can find the voltage distribution across the individual resistance as
shown below.

VR1 = V[ R1 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

VR2 = V[ R2 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

VR3 = V[ R3 / (R1+ R2+ R3)]

Thus, you can see that the result is same. Hope your concept is clear now. In case, you have
any doubt/feedback, kindly write in comment box.

 AC Circuit

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 Current Division Rule – Explanation, Formula & Derivation

 Maximum Power Transfer Theorem in AC Circuit

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