Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RKS7K5E

RKS7K5E

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE75R

REE75R

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS2R5

RUS2R5

Ohmite

POT 2.5 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL200E

REL200E

Ohmite

POT 200 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

3

RHL1R0

RHL1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RNS4R0E

RNS4R0E

Ohmite

POT 4 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RNS10R

RNS10R

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

E-1000-R1-352A

E-1000-R1-352A

Ohmite

12.5 WATT MODEL E RHEOSTAT 10%

1

REE2K5E

REE2K5E

Ohmite

POT 2.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS16RE

RGS16RE

Ohmite

POT 16 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL10KE

REL10KE

Ohmite

POT 10K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE3R0

REE3R0

Ohmite

POT 3 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS8K0

RJS8K0

Ohmite

POT 8K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL50RE

REL50RE

Ohmite

POT 50 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RCS200E

RCS200E

Ohmite

POT 200 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

CMU1011E

CMU1011E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

0

RJS50K

RJS50K

Ohmite

POT 50K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

J-50000-F2-T3

J-50000-F2-T3

Ohmite

MOD J T3 50K OHMS

1

RGS2K0E

RGS2K0E

Ohmite

POT 2K OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL20K

RHL20K

Ohmite

POT 20K 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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