Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
REE15R

REE15R

Ohmite

POT 15 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RHL3K5

RHL3K5

Ohmite

POT 3.5K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RCS75R

RCS75R

Ohmite

POT 75 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RGS2R0

RGS2R0

Ohmite

POT 2 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RLS1R0

RLS1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL35R

RHL35R

Ohmite

POT 35 OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE50R

REE50R

Ohmite

POT 50 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RES150

RES150

Ohmite

POT 150 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RJS40K

RJS40K

Ohmite

POT 40K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL7K5

RHL7K5

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RLS10R

RLS10R

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 150W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL1R0

REL1R0

Ohmite

POT 1 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RJS30K

RJS30K

Ohmite

POT 30K OHM 50W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RUS225

RUS225

Ohmite

POT 225 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS7K5

RGS7K5

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 75W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RES5R0

RES5R0

Ohmite

POT 5 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE2R0

REE2R0

Ohmite

POT 2 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS1R5

RRS1R5

Ohmite

POT 1.5 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL1K5

REL1K5

Ohmite

POT 1.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS100

RGS100

Ohmite

POT 100 OHM 75W 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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