Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RKS400E

RKS400E

Ohmite

POT 400 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHL175

RHL175

Ohmite

POT 175 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS8R0

RRS8R0

Ohmite

POT 8 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS400E

RUS400E

Ohmite

POT 400 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RCS3K5

RCS3K5

Ohmite

POT 3.5K OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS75RE

RGS75RE

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL7K5E

REL7K5E

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

CPM05A20K0E

CPM05A20K0E

Ohmite

HYBRID POT 5 TURN 20K OHM

2

REL1K0

REL1K0

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS2R5E

RUS2R5E

Ohmite

POT 2.5 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS4R0

RUS4R0

Ohmite

POT 4 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RKS500E

RKS500E

Ohmite

POT 500 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE5K0

REE5K0

Ohmite

POT 5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RRS50RE

RRS50RE

Ohmite

POT 50 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS400

RUS400

Ohmite

POT 400 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL100E

REL100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RRS80RE

RRS80RE

Ohmite

POT 80 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS100

RJS100

Ohmite

50 WATT MODEL J RHEOSTAT 10%

20

CPM05A1K00E

CPM05A1K00E

Ohmite

HYBRID POT 5 TURN 1K OHM

2

RHS35RE

RHS35RE

Ohmite

POT 35 OHM 25W WIREWOUND 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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