Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
REE150E

REE150E

Ohmite

POT 150 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RLS75RE

RLS75RE

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL500

REL500

Ohmite

POT 500 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

54

CU5041E

CU5041E

Ohmite

POT 500K OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

83

RUS75RE

RUS75RE

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL1K0E

REL1K0E

Ohmite

POT 1K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE100E

REE100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

2

RGS400E

RGS400E

Ohmite

POT 400 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS250E

RJS250E

Ohmite

50 WATT MODEL J RHEOSTAT 10%

1

ASM6670E

ASM6670E

Ohmite

POT 100K OHM 1/2W CARBON LINEAR

0

RRS2K0E

RRS2K0E

Ohmite

POT 2K OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL25R

RHL25R

Ohmite

POT 25 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

1

REE1K5E

REE1K5E

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS100E

RGS100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RPS3R0E

RPS3R0E

Ohmite

POT 3 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL750E

REL750E

Ohmite

POT 750 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS1K5E

RUS1K5E

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

CU2531E

CU2531E

Ohmite

POT 25K OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

0

REL2R0

REL2R0

Ohmite

POT 2 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

2

RCL750E

RCL750E

Ohmite

POT 750 OHM 7.5W 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

RFQ BOM Call Skype Email
Top