Browser compatibility warning: CircuitLab may not work as expected in your web browser. Please see our System Requirements.

Voltages in Open Circuit

Trying to understand how CircuitLab measures DC voltages in the DC simulation. Things work as expected with a closed circuit. When I have an open circuit the voltage is the same before or after the load. In my example 12V, Vout vs Vin.

Thanks

https://www.circuitlab.com/circuit/azx2cekvwymx/open-circuit-voltages/

by kubes
August 10, 2020

Hi @kubes! When SW1 is open circuit, then there is no current flowing through R1, and so no voltage drop across it. Therefore V(out) = V(in). Does that help?

The voltages are measured relative to your labeled ground, as is typical for this sort of software. If you want a relative voltage, you can explicitly do the subtraction by clicking "Add Expression".

Also see Labeling Voltages, Currents, and Nodes for more.

by mrobbins
August 10, 2020

Post a Reply

Please sign in or create an account to comment.

Go Ad-Free. Activate your CircuitLab membership. No more ads. Save unlimited circuits. Run unlimited simulations.

About CircuitLab

CircuitLab is an in-browser schematic capture and circuit simulation software tool to help you rapidly design and analyze analog and digital electronics systems.