Description
idealCurrent = sourceVoltage/sourceResistance; loadedCurrent = sourceVoltage/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance); burdenVoltage = loadedCurrent*shuntResistance; relativeCurrentChange = -shuntResistance/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance).
A measuring instrument becomes part of the circuit and can change the quantity it is intended to observe. A resistive loading model separates the ideal value from that loaded value while leaving actual instrument behavior to calibration.
idealCurrent = sourceVoltage/sourceResistance; loadedCurrent = sourceVoltage/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance); burdenVoltage = loadedCurrent*shuntResistance; relativeCurrentChange = -shuntResistance/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance).
When to use this tool
Use Electricity: Shunt Burden Single Reading Error when checking a supplied resistive meter-loading effect.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter sourceVoltage, sourceResistance, shuntResistance. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read result. Expand result to inspect the returned fields.
Require positive sourceResistance and nonnegative shuntResistance. idealCurrent = sourceVoltage/sourceResistance; loadedCurrent = sourceVoltage/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance); burdenVoltage = loadedCurrent*shuntResistance; relativeCurrentChange = -shuntResistance/(sourceResistance+shuntResistance).1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| sourceVoltage | Source Voltage | Required. Finite number. |
| sourceResistance | Source Resistance | Required. Finite number. |
| shuntResistance | Shunt Resistance | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| result | Object containing the named calculated members below. | Required. Object. |
| result.idealCurrent | Ideal Current | Calculated result member: number. |
| result.loadedCurrent | Loaded Current | Calculated result member: number. |
| result.burdenVoltage | Burden Voltage | Calculated result member: number. |
| result.relativeCurrentChange | Model fractional change, defined algebraically even for zero source voltage. | Calculated result member: number. |
{
"input": {
"sourceVoltage": 10,
"sourceResistance": 4,
"shuntResistance": 1
},
"output": {
"result": {
"idealCurrent": 2.5,
"loadedCurrent": 2,
"burdenVoltage": 2,
"relativeCurrentChange": -0.2
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The relative change is a model factor even for zero source voltage, where the ratio of actual zero currents would be undefined. Lead resistance, heating and meter uncertainty are omitted.
- Outputs are nested inside result. Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use the instrument specifications and a complete source model when frequency response, lead effects, accuracy or safe measurement matters.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Electricity: Voltage Divider Instrument Loading Delta
Parallel the meter with the lower resistor, calculate unloaded and loaded divider voltages, and return loadingDelta = loadedVoltage-unloadedVoltage.
- Electricity: Phasor Leading Lagging Label Tool
Label current phase relative to voltage under a signed phasor convention normalized to [-180,180); not power-factor or instrument calibration.