Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

Image Part Number Description / PDF Quantity Rfq
RKS7K5

RKS7K5

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 100W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE15K

REE15K

Ohmite

POT 15K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS7R5

RPS7R5

Ohmite

POT 7.5 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL150

REL150

Ohmite

POT 150 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RPS2R0

RPS2R0

Ohmite

POT 2 OHM 225W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL15K

RHL15K

Ohmite

POT 15K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RCS350

RCS350

Ohmite

POT 350 OHM 7.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE12K5

REE12K5

Ohmite

POT 12.5K OHM 12.5W WW LINEAR

0

RNS1K2

RNS1K2

Ohmite

POT 1.2K OHM 300W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RGS3R0

RGS3R0

Ohmite

POT 3 OHM 75W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REE350

REE350

Ohmite

POT 350 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RUS5R0

RUS5R0

Ohmite

POT 5 OHM 1000W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RRS10RE

RRS10RE

Ohmite

POT 10 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

REL7K5

REL7K5

Ohmite

POT 7.5K OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

RRS80R

RRS80R

Ohmite

POT 80 OHM 500W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RKS15RE

RKS15RE

Ohmite

POT 15 OHM 100W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RHL2K5

RHL2K5

Ohmite

POT 2.5K OHM 25W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REL175

REL175

Ohmite

POT 175 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LIN

0

REE5R0

REE5R0

Ohmite

POT 5 OHM 12.5W WIREWOUND LINEAR

0

RKS2R0

RKS2R0

Ohmite

POT 2 OHM 100W 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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