Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RLS3R0

RLS3R0

Ohmite

POT 3 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

1

RPS100

RPS100

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS1K2

RPS1K2

Ohmite

POT 1.2K OHM 225W WIREWOUND LIN

0

E-750-F1-351

E-750-F1-351

Ohmite

12.5 WATT MODEL E W/351

1

REE1K0E

REE1K0E

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHL1K0

RHL1K0

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

CLU2541E

CLU2541E

Ohmite

POT 250K OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

0

RKS500

RKS500

Ohmite

POT 500 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHL250E

RHL250E

Ohmite

POT 250 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS175E

RUS175E

Ohmite

POT 175 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RRS12R5E

RRS12R5E

Ohmite

POT 12.5 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RKSR50E

RKSR50E

Ohmite

POT 0.5 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RKL50R

RKL50R

Ohmite

100 WATT MODEL K RHEO W/LOCKIN

1

REE1K0

REE1K0

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RKS300E

RKS300E

Ohmite

POT 300 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHS20KE

RHS20KE

Ohmite

POT 20K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS2K5

RUS2K5

Ohmite

POT 2.5K OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RJS40KE

RJS40KE

Ohmite

POT 40K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL10KE

RHL10KE

Ohmite

POT 10K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

CPM05A10K0E

CPM05A10K0E

Ohmite

HYBRID POT 5 TURN 10K OHM

2

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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