Voltage/Current Divider mechanism

Model scope

The unloaded voltage-divider and specified R2-branch current-divider formulas are standard under the stated assumptions. The catalog claim should explicitly identify the current branch and distinguish unloaded from loaded operation. The loaded-divider toggle needs a documented formula, input RL, and constraints before the instrument can receive an unqualified PASS. The honest_label field is empty even though the current branch and loaded/unloaded assumptions materially affect the result.

• The current-divider formula Iout=Iin·R1/(R1+R2) is correct only when Iout means the current through the R2 branch; the output branch is not explicitly identified. For the R1 branch, the numerator must be R2.
• The voltage-divider formula is valid for an unloaded series divider, or when R2 is replaced by the effective parallel combination R2||RL for a resistive load. The specification does not provide the loaded-divider formula or define how the load resistor is applied.
• The phrase "Vout or Iout" does not specify whether the instrument selects voltage-divider mode or current-divider mode, nor does it define the required input relationships for each mode.

Units and conventions

• Vin is in volts, Iin is in amperes, and all resistor values are in the same resistance unit, such as ohms or kilohms.
• R1 and R2 are positive resistances for ordinary divider operation; using the same resistance unit in every ratio makes the unit cancel.
• For voltage division, R1 and R2 are series resistors, Vout is measured across R2, and Vin is an ideal source voltage.
• For current division, R1 and R2 are parallel branches, Iin is the total entering current, and Iout is the current through the R2 branch.
• For the loaded example, RL is a resistive load connected in parallel with R2, so R2 is replaced by R2||RL.

Inspectable vector

One of 4 source-bound review vectors:

{
  "inputs": {
    "mode": "voltage_unloaded",
    "Vin_V": 12,
    "R1_kOhm": 1,
    "R2_kOhm": 2
  },
  "expected_outputs": {
    "Vout_V": 8
  },
  "working": "Vout = Vin·R2/(R1+R2) = 12·2/(1+2) = 24/3 = 8 V."
}

Failure boundary

BREAK_CLAIMED · SELF_FLAGGED

Setting R1=0 and R2=0 makes the common denominator R1+R2 equal zero, producing undefined 0/0 results for both divider formulas. A robust instrument must reject this input.

Other records

Sources and evidence

These pointers bind the page to evidence. They do not grant authority or collapse verification into deployment.

• VERIFIED_LEDGER.json
• evidence-tranche2/tranche2-results.json
• BOUNDARY_HAZARD_CATALOG.json