What is a voltage dividing resistor? What is a shunt resistor?

In electronic circuit design,resistanceThe device is a very common and important component. Voltage divider resistors and shunt resistors are two commonly used resistor applications and are widely used in the measurement and control of voltage and current. This article will introduce in detail what voltage divider resistors and shunt resistors are, and analyze their definitions, working principles and application scenarios through core content to help readers better understand the functions of these two resistors.

A voltage dividing resistor refers to connecting two or more resistors in series to achieve voltage distribution through the voltage dividing principle. According to Ohm's law, the voltage across a series resistor is proportional to the resistance value. This characteristic can be used to obtain the required voltage value. The voltage divider resistor is mainly used to reduce the voltage, provide a stable reference voltage, or convert high voltage into low voltage for subsequent circuit use.

Voltage dividing resistors are widely used in various electronic equipment, such as analog signal conditioning, sensor circuits, measuring instruments, audio equipment, etc. For example, in battery voltage detection, voltage dividing resistors are commonly used to divide the high voltage of the battery into a range acceptable to the microcontroller.

A shunt resistor is aLow value resistor, connected in series in a circuit to measure current. By measuring the voltage drop across the shunt resistor, Ohm's law is used to calculate the amount of current flowing. The shunt resistor must have a low resistance value so as not to significantly affect the proper operation of the circuit.

Shunt resistors are commonly used in current sensing, power monitoring and protection circuits. For example, the motor control system monitors current changes through shunt resistors and adjusts the operating status in a timely manner to ensure safety and stability.

1. Different functions: voltage dividing resistors are mainly used for voltage distribution, and shunt resistors are used for current measurement.

2. Different resistance values: The resistance value of the voltage dividing resistor is generally larger, while the resistance value of the shunt resistor is very small.

3. Different installation positions: the voltage dividing resistor is connected in series in the voltage source, and the shunt resistor is connected in series in the load circuit.

4. Different measurement methods: the voltage divider resistor measures voltage, and the shunt resistor measures current.

1. Accuracy requirements: Select the tolerance and stability of the resistor according to the measurement accuracy.

2. Power capacity: Select a resistor with an appropriate power level according to the circuit power to prevent overheating damage.

3. Temperature coefficient: Choose a resistor with a low temperature coefficient to ensure stable measurement.

4. Size and packaging: Select the appropriate package based on circuit space and installation requirements.

For example, in the design of power management chips, voltage dividing resistors are used to implement voltage feedback control; in current sampling modules, shunt resistors are used to monitor load current and protect the circuit from overcurrent damage.

Voltage divider resistors and shunt resistors are indispensable basic components in electronic circuits. The voltage dividing resistor realizes voltage distribution through series resistors and is widely used in voltage regulation and signal sampling; the shunt resistor realizes current detection by measuring the voltage drop and is often used for current monitoring and protection. Understanding their definitions, working principles and application scenarios can help electronic engineers design more stable and accurate circuit systems. In actual use, reasonable selection of resistor parameters and types is an important guarantee for ensuring circuit performance and safety.