Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
381L100

381L100

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 100 OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

308N500

308N500

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500 OHM 1/2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

392550M6875

392550M6875

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 10K OHM 1/2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C22.5MEG

53C22.5MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2.5M OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

309NPC25K

309NPC25K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 1W CERMET LINEAR

0

53C350

53C350

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50 OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381L50K

381L50K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381N1MEG

381N1MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1M OHM 1W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

58C15K

58C15K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5K OHM 4W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

73JB25K

73JB25K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 25K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

53C21MEG

53C21MEG

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 1M OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

585SX4Q25F502SP

585SX4Q25F502SP

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5K OHM 1/20W CARBON LINEAR

0

53C35K

53C35K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C150KZ

53C150KZ

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 2W PLASTIC LOG

0

62JA50K

62JA50K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 50K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

380C25000

380C25000

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

53C12K

53C12K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 2K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

A435K

A435K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 5K OHM 2W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

53C320K

53C320K

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 20K OHM 2W PLASTIC LINEAR

0

381L500

381L500

Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions

POT 500 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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