Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RHL6R0

RHL6R0

Ohmite

POT 6 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE35R

REE35R

Ohmite

POT 35 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE1K5

REE1K5

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS10R

RPS10R

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RGS2K0

RGS2K0

Ohmite

POT 2K OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS15K

RJS15K

Ohmite

POT 15K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL6R0

REL6R0

Ohmite

POT 6 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE250

REE250

Ohmite

POT 250 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RNS1K75

RNS1K75

Ohmite

POT 1.75K OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS25R

RPS25R

Ohmite

POT 25 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL12K5

REL12K5

Ohmite

POT 12.5K OHM 12.5W WW LINEAR

0

REE7K5

REE7K5

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS100

RUS100

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE1R0

REE1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE175

REE175

Ohmite

POT 175 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL350

REL350

Ohmite

POT 350 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS12R5

RUS12R5

Ohmite

POT 12.5 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RNS7R5

RNS7R5

Ohmite

POT 7.5 OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGSR50

RGSR50

Ohmite

POT 0.5 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL75R

REL75R

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 12.5W 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

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