Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
53C110KZ

53C110KZ

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 10K OHM 2W PLASTIC LOG

0

309NPC100

309NPC100

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 100 OHM 1W CERMET LINEAR

0

392C21K

392C21K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1K OHM 1/2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381N10KZ

381N10KZ

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 10K OHM 1W PLASTIC LOG

0

381N1000

381N1000

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C325K

53C325K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

308N250

308N250

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 250 OHM 1/2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C1250KZ

53C1250KZ

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 250K OHM 2W PLASTIC LOG

0

53C32500

53C32500

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2.5K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

RA20NASD202A

RA20NASD202A

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

73JA200

73JA200

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 200 OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

53C225K

53C225K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C125KZ

53C125KZ

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W PLASTIC LOG

0

53C1SW100K

53C1SW100K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 100K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

392C3500

392C3500

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500 OHM 1/2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

62JA25K

62JA25K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RV4NAYSB503A

RV4NAYSB503A

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

585SX4Q25F102SP

585SX4Q25F102SP

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1K OHM 1/20W CARBON LINEAR

0

RA30NASD500A

RA30NASD500A

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50 OHM 4W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

381L2500

381L2500

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2.5K OHM 1W 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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