Voltage-divider terminology (power-supply practice): evaluate the statement—“Bleeder current is the current remaining after subtracting the total divider current from the total current entering the circuit.”

Introduction / Context:
Bleeder current is a standard term in power supplies and voltage-divider networks. A bleeder resistor is intentionally connected across a supply or divider to provide a defined standing current for voltage stabilization and to discharge capacitors when power is removed. This item checks whether you can distinguish bleeder current from total divider current and load current.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A resistive divider is fed by a source providing a total current I_total.
• Divider (or bleeder) current I_bleeder flows through the divider path (or bleeder resistor) even without a load.
• If a load is attached to a divider tap, the load current is I_load.
• All currents are DC steady-state for simplicity.

Concept / Approach:
Current entering the divider network splits into bleeder current and load current: I_total = I_bleeder + I_load. Therefore, I_bleeder equals I_total minus I_load, not “I_total minus I_divider.” In fact, “divider current” is itself the bleeder current (the standing current through the divider leg), so subtracting it from the total would yield I_load, not bleeder current.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Open-circuit the load (I_load = 0). Then I_total = I_bleeder. Substituting into the flawed definition gives I_bleeder = I_total − I_bleeder ⇒ contradiction unless I_bleeder = 0, which is not the case.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Correct: contradicts current-splitting definition.
Only correct for AC sources: the relationship is topological, not frequency dependent.
Only correct when the load is open: with load open, bleeder equals total, not zero.
Ambiguous: with standard definitions, it is not ambiguous.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing “divider current” with “total current” and mixing up which branch is the bleeder versus the load. Another error is assuming bleeder current exists only when a load is connected—it flows by design regardless of load.

Final Answer:
Incorrect