Concept of Potentiometer

It is common to utilise potentiometers to control electrical devices, such as the volume controls on audio devices. Transducers such as gaming joysticks may employ potentiometers that are manipulated by mechanical mechanisms. Rarely is considerable power (more than one watt) controlled directly by potentiometer, as potentiometer power loss is equivalent to the loss of power in the regulated load.

What is a potentiometer, and how does one use one?

An adjustable voltage divider may be achieved by using a potentiometer, which has a 3 resistance with a sliding or revolving contact. It functions as a rheostat or a variable resistor when just the wiper and one terminal are connected.

Different kinds of potentiometers are available.

• knob with a digital signal
• A potentiometer with a rotating knob
• the logarithmic potentiometer
• a potentiometer that can be manually adjusted
• a potentiometer with a linear output

The input source’s two terminals are permanently attached to the resistor’s end of a potentiometer. The output voltage may be adjusted by moving the sliding contact along with the resistor. The end is fixed while the other end is linked to the circuit like a rheostat; here, the slidable end is attached directly to the circuit.

Tracks of resistive material, similar to those found on film-type fixed resistors, create roughly 3/4 of a circular with terminals on each end. The maximum resistance value for this strip is always the same. Using a sliding contact, which is coupled to a rotating shaft and bearing, a three (middle) station is connected. The impedance in between the centre terminal and any of the other terminals may range from zero to the whole strip’s total resistance. Most potentiometers can only withstand lower than average voltages and modest currents.

Potentiometer with a Linear Taper

To make a linear-taper potentiometer, a continuous band of resistive material is wrapped around the device. In this way, the resistance varies at a constant rate while the control shaft spins. Linear-taper potentiometers are preferred by engineers because they are easier to read. Some consumer electrical products use linear-taper potentiometers as a control option.

Potentiometer for Audio Taper

Using linear-taper potentiometers in some situations isn’t the best idea. A nice illustration is the volume control on a radio antenna or high-quality audio amplifier. Sound intensity is perceived by humans based on the exponential of the real sound power, rather than the actual power itself. Type Controlling an audio system’s volume (or gain) using a linear-taper potentiometer causes the volume (as you hear it) to vary slowly in certain areas of the control range and fast in others. The gadget will function, not in a way that is convenient for the end-user. Acne Audio-taper potentiometers can adjust for the F the way individuals regard sound levels if they are appropriately chosen and placed. The nonlinear function of the rotational shaft location affects the impedance between the centre and either end terminal. Logarithmic-taper potentiometers, or log-taper potentiometers, are often referred to by engineers because the resistance against angular displacement function is logarithmic. Even though the real power fluctuation is logarithmic, the sound intensity increases linearly as you spin the shaft.

Slide the potentiometer

For up-and-down or side-to-side movement of the control, a linear strip of resistive material may be used in place of the more common circular strip. Known as a sliding potentiometer, this form of the variable resistor is often used in high-frequency audio graphic equalisers, amplifier gain controls, and other places where a plain control movement is preferred over a rotating one. Both linear and audio taper slide potentiometers are available.

Rheostat

In place of a solid band of resistive material, a wire-wound element may be used in a variable resistor. A rheostat is a form of the rheostat. If the resistive wire is coiled around with a biscuit form (work is performed) or a cylindrical form, it has a rotational control or a slide control (solenoid). Both inductive and resistive reactions are shown by rheostats. Fixed wire wound resistors have the same benefits and drawbacks as variable resistors.

Types of Potentiometers

Potentiometers come in two major varieties:

• An instrument with a rotating potentiometer
• Potentiometer, linear

The functioning concept of both of these potentiometers is the same, despite their differing constructional aspects.

It’s worth noting these are all DC potentiometers, which are distinct from the AC potentiometers.

Potentiometers with Rotating Dials

Most integrated devices and circuitry make use of rotary type potentiometers to acquire a programmable power supply voltage. It’s well known that rotary potentiometers may be used to regulate the supply voltage to a transistor amplifier’s output.

Potentiometers of this kind have two output connections among which a homogeneous resistance is arranged in a semi-circular pattern between the terminals. A sliding contact linked to a rotary knob connects a central terminal of the gadget to the resistance there as well. The sliding interface on the semi-circular resistance may be changed by moving the knob. A resistive end connection and a sliding contact are used to measure the voltage. The abbreviated form of the potentiometer’s name is “POT.” The recharging power of a battery may also be adjusted using POT in intermediate battery chargers. When precise power intervention is required, rotary-type potentiometers are an excellent choice.

Potentiometers, linear

The main difference between a linear potentiometer and a rotary potentiometer is that the sliding contact on the resistor is moved linearly instead of rotational. The source voltage is applied across a straight resistor with its two ends linked in this way. A track linked to the resistor allows a sliding contact to be slid over it. Slider and resistor terminals are linked to opposite ends of the output circuit, which in turn are connected.

Conclusion

A potentiometer is a kind of calliper. A potentiometer’s resistance is measured by this output voltage divider, which is why the component is called a potentiometer. Passive electronic components include potentiometers. Sliding contact potentiometers function by adjusting the resistance of sliding contact. Using a potentiometer, the output voltage is determined by the difference in voltage between the resistor’s fixed and sliding contacts.