Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
381N50K

381N50K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C25MEG

53C25MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5M OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

73JA50K

73JA50K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

380C325K

380C325K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381N500K

381N500K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

JA1N056S101UA

JA1N056S101UA

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 100 OHM 2.25W CARBON LINEAR

0

385000M9659

385000M9659

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500 OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

73JB200

73JB200

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 200 OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

381N100

381N100

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 100 OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C345K

53C345K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 45K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

309NPC250K

309NPC250K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 250K OHM 1W CERMET LINEAR

0

A431K

A431K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

A432K

A432K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

53C3150K

53C3150K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 150K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381N250K

381N250K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 250K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

43C110

43C110

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 10 OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

53C33.5MEG

53C33.5MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 3.5M OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381L500K

381L500K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C32K

53C32K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C23.5MEG

53C23.5MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 3.5M OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

1. Overview

Rotary potentiometers and rheostats are variable resistors used to control electrical resistance in circuits. Potentiometers function as voltage dividers, while rheostats regulate current flow. These components enable precise manual control in electronics, making them critical in applications ranging from audio equipment to industrial machinery. Their ability to provide analog signal adjustment remains indispensable despite the rise of digital controls.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

TypeFunctional FeaturesApplication Examples
Carbon Composition PotentiometersLow-cost, medium precision, durableConsumer electronics volume controls
Cermet PotentiometersHigh temperature stability, long lifespanIndustrial measurement devices
Conductive Plastic PotentiometersSmooth rotation, high resolutionMedical imaging equipment
Wirewound RheostatsHigh power handling, coarse adjustmentMotor speed controllers
Digital PotentiometersProgrammable resistance, non-volatile memoryAutomotive sensor calibration

3. Structure and Components

Typical rotary potentiometer construction includes: 1) A resistive element (circular track of carbon film, cermet, or wirewound material), 2) A wiper contact assembly with spring-loaded arm, 3) Rotational shaft with detent mechanisms, 4) Insulated housing (usually plastic or ceramic), 5) Terminal connections (solder lugs or PCB pins). Rheostats often use thicker wirewound elements for higher current capacity.

4. Key Technical Specifications

ParameterDescriptionImportance
Resistance RangeTypical: 10 - 10M Determines control resolution
Tolerance 1% to 20%Signal accuracy indicator
Power Rating0.1W - 50WThermal performance limit
Mechanical Lifespan5,000-1,000,000 rotationsProduct durability metric
Taper TypeLinear, logarithmic, or customResponse curve matching

5. Application Fields

Main industries include: - Consumer electronics (smartphones, audio equipment) - Industrial automation (process control systems) - Automotive (HVAC controls, pedal position sensors) - Medical devices (diagnostic equipment calibration) - Aerospace (flight control systems) - Audio engineering (mixing console faders)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

ManufacturerKey ProductsSpecializations
Bourns Inc.3352/3386 seriesHigh-precision trimmers
Vishay Precision Group3006/3008 seriesMilitary-grade ruggedization
TT ElectronicsPO15 seriesCustom industrial sensors
Alps AlpineRK09 seriesCompact audio controls
Curtis Industries835 seriesHeavy-duty vehicle controls

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations: 1. Match resistance range to circuit requirements 2. Choose taper type (linear for voltage measurement, logarithmic for audio) 3. Consider environmental factors (temperature, vibration) 4. Evaluate electrical noise specifications 5. Determine required mechanical durability Example: Audio mixing boards typically use 100k logarithmic potentiometers with conductive plastic elements for smooth fading performance.

8. Industry Trends

Current developments include: - Miniaturization for portable devices (sub-10mm rotary controls) - Integration with digital interfaces (smart potentiometers) - Increased use of conductive polymer materials for smoother operation - Rising demand in EV applications (regenerative braking control) - Environmental regulations driving halogen-free materials adoption - Military/aerospace demand for radiation-hardened components

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