Solve common IoT interface circuits with Ohm’s law, KCL, loading effects, Thevenin equivalents, and ADC range checks.
animation
circuit-analysis
electronics
sensors
adc
beginner
A beginner-first circuit analysis workbench with voltage divider, loaded sensor, current divider, and Wheatstone bridge scenarios plus synchronized schematic, equations, and design feedback.
Choose a common IoT interface circuit and watch the schematic, equation, node voltage, branch current, Thevenin equivalent, and ADC fit update together.
1.65 Voutput or bridge voltage
0.33 mAsource or total current
5.0 kOhmThevenin or equivalent resistance
204812-bit ADC code estimate
TryChoose Loaded sensor node, set Source to 3.30 V, and Calculate; then raise the input resistance while leaving the 10 kOhm divider unchanged.
ObserveThe loaded output sits below the open-circuit divider voltage and approaches it as the input resistance increases; Node solve follows the resulting node voltage.
ExplainThe measuring input is parallel with the divider's lower leg, so its equivalent resistance must be found before applying Ohm's law.
Technical boundariesThe DC network assumes ideal sources and nominal resistors; tolerance, thermal drift, amplifier bias, ADC sampling transients, noise, and settling time remain outside the calculation.
Connect formulas to a visual circuit so node voltage and current are no longer abstract.
Try First
Use Voltage divider, lower the load resistance, and watch the output drop from the open-circuit value.
Watch
The solver highlights whether KCL, loading, bridge balance, or ADC range is the main design issue.
Why It Matters
Sensor outputs often look correct until the ADC, cable, or amplifier input loads the circuit.
Controls
Select a preset, then change values and step through the solving method.
Preset level scaling
View schematic
Playback manual
Voltage source used by the divider, bridge, and sensor presets.
Top resistor, first branch resistor, or bridge upper-left arm.
Bottom resistor, second branch resistor, or bridge upper-right arm.
Bridge lower-left arm. Used mainly in Wheatstone bridge mode.
Bridge lower-right arm. Used mainly in Wheatstone bridge mode.
ADC, amplifier, or external load connected to the output node.
Used for the 12-bit ADC code and over-range warning.
1. SourceIdentify the source value and the reference ground.2. NetworkCombine the resistor network or mark the bridge arms.3. NodeUse Ohm's law, KCL, or divider equations to solve the node.4. LoadCheck how an ADC or external load changes the result.5. CheckReview power, ADC range, balance, and practical margin.
1.65 Vopen-circuit output0.5%loading error or imbalance0.54 mWlargest resistor powerADC OKinput range check
Circuit View
The schematic highlights the active node and shows the values used in the calculation.
Node solve
Reading: The output node is half the source because R1 and R2 are equal.
Live Calculation
A divider scales a source voltage for an ADC or sensing input.
Node result
Output voltage1.65 V
Source current0.33 mA
Load current0.002 mA
Equivalent and ADC
Thevenin voltage1.65 V
Thevenin resistance5.0 kOhm
12-bit ADC code2048
Design flags
The circuit output is inside the ADC range and load error is small.
Equation Check
Voltage division sets the unloaded node voltage.
Vout = Vs x R2/(R1+R2)
KCL Check
Current entering the node equals current through each path leaving it.
Iin = IR2 + Iload
IoT Fit
The output fits the selected ADC reference voltage.
Good ADC fit
Beginner Ramp
A circuit solver turns component values into voltages, currents, and power.
Voltage: electrical push between two nodes.
Current: charge flow through a path.
Resistance: opposition to current flow.
Core Laws
The solver uses three beginner formulas repeatedly.
Ohm's law: V = I x R.
KCL: currents into a node equal currents out.
KVL: voltage rises and drops around a loop sum to zero.
Formula Reference
Voltage divider: Vout = Vs x R2 / (R1 + R2)
Current divider: I1 = Itotal x R2 / (R1 + R2)
Thevenin: Vth = Voc, Rth = output resistance with the source shorted.
Loading Effects
A load connected to the output is another resistor path. It can pull the output away from the expected open-circuit value.
Use ADC input impedance much larger than source resistance.
Add a buffer when a divider must drive a low impedance.
Watch source current and resistor power in battery-powered nodes.
Bridge Balance
A Wheatstone bridge is balanced when R1/R3 equals R2/R4. Small sensor resistance changes create a small bridge voltage.
ADC Note
The 12-bit ADC code estimate assumes an ideal ADC with codes 0 to 4095. Real circuits also need noise, offset, reference accuracy, and input sampling effects checked.
Practice 1
Use the voltage divider, lower the load to 20 kOhm, and explain why the output changes.
Practice 2
Open the current divider and change R1. Notice which branch current increases.
Practice 3
Use the Wheatstone bridge and adjust R4 until the bridge voltage is near zero.