Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
CMU1052E

CMU1052E

Ohmite

POT 1M OHM 2W CARBON LINEAR

58

RLS10KE

RLS10KE

Ohmite

POT 10K OHM 150W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE15KE

REE15KE

Ohmite

POT 15K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS200

RPS200

Ohmite

POT 200 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RJS20K

RJS20K

Ohmite

POT 20K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS4R0E

RJS4R0E

Ohmite

POT 4 OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RPS5R0

RPS5R0

Ohmite

POT 5 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

H-175-F2-T2

H-175-F2-T2

Ohmite

25 WATT MODEL H RHEO T2

1

RCS500E

RCS500E

Ohmite

POT 500 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS100E

RPS100E

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS1R0

RUS1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RLS15R

RLS15R

Ohmite

POT 15 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL3R0E

RHL3R0E

Ohmite

POT 3 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS1R0E

RUS1R0E

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS100E

RRS100E

Ohmite

500 WATT MODEL R RHEOSTAT 10%

1

RNS75RE

RNS75RE

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE1R0E

REE1R0E

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RNS5R0E

RNS5R0E

Ohmite

POT 5 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE2R5E

REE2R5E

Ohmite

POT 2.5 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

6

CA1041E

CA1041E

Ohmite

POT 100K OHM 2W CARBON LOG

50

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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