Ideal and real voltage/current sources

Difference between Ideal and Real voltage source

An ideal voltage source will maintain the desired voltage across its terminal irrespective of the magnitude and direction of the current being drawn from it.

ideal vs real voltage source

An actual voltage source’s output voltage drops when more current is drawn (as shown in the following figure). It is modeled as an ideal voltage source with series resistance. The voltage drop happens because of drop (also called IR drop) across the RS. So, the effective voltage across the load resistance drops, which is undesirable. Therefore a voltage source having less source resistance is usually preferred.

current voltage relationship of ideal and real voltage sources
Fig: Voltage across the load (RL) when the source is ideal voltage source (Green) and when the source is real voltage source (Red)

Difference between Ideal and Real current source

An ideal current source will push/pull the desired current across its two terminals irrespective of the magnitude and direction of the voltage.

ideal and real current source 1 e1703703262997

An actual current source’s output current changes depending on the output voltage. Usually, it is modeled as an ideal current source with a large parallel resistance. As the voltage increase, the parallel resistance (RP) steals some current due to which there is lesser current available for RL.

current voltage relationship of ideal and real current sources
Fig: Current through the load (RL) when the source is ideal current source (Green) and when the source is real current source (Red)

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Quick Calculators

RC circuit
Time Constant (s) =

Cutoff Frequency (Hz) =

Time Constant (s) =

Cutoff Frequency (Hz) =

Impedance magnitude (Ω) =

Resonant frequency (Hz) =

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