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Voltage H-Bridge
Analog Electronics
A potentiometer-controlled H-Bridge voltage divider used to demonstrate the waterfall method and control the direction of current through a bi-colour LED.
Type
Analog Circuit
Control
Potentiometer
Output
Bicolor LED
Resistance
470 Ω + 10 kΩ
Development
Breadboard Electronics
Project Context
The project was developed to explore the use of a potentiometer in an H-Bridge voltage divider while demonstrating the waterfall method. The circuit uses two fixed resistors, one variable resistor, and a red/green bi-colour LED.
Reference
01
The circuit uses a potentiometer as a variable resistor to change current flow through a red and green bi-colour LED.
A total of three resistors are used in the circuit: two fixed 470 Ω resistors and one 10 kΩ potentiometer acting as a variable resistor.
The H-Bridge voltage divider switches the current flow through the bi-colour LED, allowing its displayed colour to change.
02
Resistance is varied through the circuit to control the path of current.
The voltage divider creates resistance on one side of the circuit, restricting current flow to the other side. Current therefore follows the path with less resistance.
The 10 kΩ potentiometer provides the variable resistance used to alter this relationship within the circuit.
03
Changing the potentiometer position switches the direction of current through the bi-colour LED.
Position 01
Red
When the potentiometer is in the bottom-left position, the LED displays red.
Position 02
Green
When the potentiometer is in the bottom-right position, the LED displays green.
04
A 10 kΩ potentiometer acts as the variable resistor within the circuit.
Adjusting the potentiometer changes the resistance within the voltage divider. This changes the current flow through the circuit and controls which colour of the bi-colour LED is displayed.
Voltage H-Bridge Circuit
Breadboard circuit with potentiometer and bi-colour LED
05
Parts Table
Qty.
9V DC Alkaline Battery
1
ACES Power Jack
1
10 kΩ Potentiometer
1
470 Ω Fixed Resistor
2
5mm Bicolor LED (R/G)
1
Full+ Breadboard
1
Wires
Assorted
06
The completed circuit demonstrates the change in current flow through a red and green bi-colour LED as the potentiometer position is adjusted.
Red LED State
Potentiometer in bottom-left position
Green LED State
Potentiometer in bottom-right position