Kirchhoff's Voltage Law Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the kirchhoff's voltage law calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Sum of Voltage Drops
total_drops = sum_dropsUnaccounted Voltage
remainder = v_source - sum_dropsVariables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
v_source | Source Voltage(V) | 12 |
v_drop1 | Voltage Drop 1(V) | 4 |
v_drop2 | Voltage Drop 2(V) | 5 |
v_drop3 | Voltage Drop 3 (0 to skip)(V) | 3 |
sum_drops | Derived value= v_drop1 + v_drop2 + v_drop3 | calculated |
How It Works
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
The sum of all voltages around any closed loop equals zero.
Principle
V_source = V_drop1 + V_drop2 + V_drop3 + ...
If drops do not sum to the source, there is an unaccounted component.
Worked Example
12 V source with drops of 4 V, 5 V, and 3 V.
v_source = 12v_drop1 = 4v_drop2 = 5v_drop3 = 3
- 01Sum = 4 + 5 + 3 = 12 V
- 02Unaccounted = 12 - 12 = 0 V
- 03KVL is satisfied.
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