ATTENUATORS

When a source is connected to and supplying power to a load, it may be necessary to reduce the voltage, current or power in the load. This process is called ‘attenuation’.

Attenuation can be achieved by adding a resistor in series with the load. The addition of the attenuator section (ABCC) in the circuit below, results in the load voltage and current being reduced by half, and the power in the load being reduced to a quarter.