Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
CCU1031E

CCU1031E

Ohmite

POT 10K OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

0

J-225-S2

J-225-S2

Ohmite

50 WATT MODEL J RHEOSTAT 10%

1

RCL1K0E

RCL1K0E

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

H-150-F2-352

H-150-F2-352

Ohmite

25 WATT MODEL H W/352 10%

2

RNS97RE

RNS97RE

Ohmite

300 WATT MODEL N RHEOSTAT 10%

1

RPS25RE

RPS25RE

Ohmite

POT 25 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RPS15R

RPS15R

Ohmite

POT 15 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS25RE

RRS25RE

Ohmite

POT 25 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

CU1521E

CU1521E

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

50

RCL250E

RCL250E

Ohmite

POT 250 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RLS4K5E

RLS4K5E

Ohmite

POT 4.5K OHM 150W WIREWOUND LIN

0

K-250-F2-352

K-250-F2-352

Ohmite

MODEL K WITH 352 OFF POSITION

1

RCL200E

RCL200E

Ohmite

POT 200 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

2

RCL75RE

RCL75RE

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RLS25RE

RLS25RE

Ohmite

POT 25 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

E-100-S1

E-100-S1

Ohmite

12.5 WATT MODEL E RHEOSTAT 10%

1

REE3K5E

REE3K5E

Ohmite

POT 3.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RCL100E

RCL100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RNS1K5

RNS1K5

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE5K0E

REE5K0E

Ohmite

POT 5K OHM 12.5W 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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