Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RHL1K5E

RHL1K5E

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RCS10RE

RCS10RE

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS80RE

RJS80RE

Ohmite

POT 80 OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RLS75R

RLS75R

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RNS2K5E

RNS2K5E

Ohmite

POT 2.5K OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RNS50RE

RNS50RE

Ohmite

POT 50 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS1R0

RRS1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RNS150

RNS150

Ohmite

POT 150 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RRS2R5E

RRS2R5E

Ohmite

POT 2.5 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RES7K5E

RES7K5E

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE10KE

REE10KE

Ohmite

POT 10K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RJS15KE

RJS15KE

Ohmite

POT 15K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS25KE

RJS25KE

Ohmite

POT 25K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS1K6E

RJS1K6E

Ohmite

POT 1.6K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL10RE

REL10RE

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE7K5E

REE7K5E

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHL100E

RHL100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RLS1K8E

RLS1K8E

Ohmite

POT 1.8K OHM 150W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS10RE

RUS10RE

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RNS700E

RNS700E

Ohmite

POT 700 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

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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