Slide Potentiometers

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	DR400 Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions	SLIDE POT	0
	EWA-MP9U20B35 Panasonic	SLIDE POT 300KOHM 0.04W TOP 20MM	0
	PDV15-21D-102B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 1K OHM 0.1W TOP 15MM	0
	PDV20-21M-103A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 10KOHM 0.05W SIDE 20MM	0
	PDV15-31P-102B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 1K OHM 0.1W TOP 15MM	0
	P230-10PC1BR10K TT Electronics / BI Technologies	SLIDE POT 10K OHM 0.2W TOP 30MM	0
	448VA1253BDN CTS Corporation	SLIDE POT 25K OHM 0.05W TOP 10MM	0
	PDV30-21P-103A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 10K OHM 0.05W TOP 30MM	0
	PDV20-32P-503B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 50K OHM 0.1W TOP 20MM	0
	PDV20-32P-502A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 5K OHM 0.05W TOP 20MM	0
	PDV20-21M-202B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 2K OHM 0.1W SIDE 20MM	0
	PDV30-21D-104B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 100K OHM 0.1W TOP 30MM	0
	448XE2105BDN CTS Corporation	SLIDE POT 1M OHM 0.25W TOP 45MM	0
	PDV20-21M-104B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 100KOHM 0.1W SIDE 20MM	0
	448VB1103BDN CTS Corporation	SLIDE POT 10K OHM 0.1W TOP 15MM	0
	PDV20-21P-104B J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 100K OHM 0.1W TOP 20MM	0
	PDV20-31M-105A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 1M OHM 0.05W SIDE 20MM	0
	PDV20-31P-504A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 500KOHM 0.05W TOP 20MM	0
	PDV20-21P-103A J.W. Miller / Bourns	SLIDE POT 10K OHM 0.05W TOP 20MM	0
	448XE2503BDN CTS Corporation	SLIDE POT 50K OHM 0.25W TOP 45MM	0

Slide Potentiometers

1. Overview

Slide potentiometers, a type of variable resistor, allow continuous adjustment of electrical resistance through linear motion. As three-terminal resistive devices, they consist of a resistive track and a movable contact (wiper) that slides along the track. This mechanism enables precise voltage division control, making them critical components in applications requiring adjustable signal levels or position sensing. Their importance in modern electronics spans from consumer devices to industrial automation systems.

2. Main Types & Function Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Linear Slide Potentiometers	Direct linear resistance change proportional to displacement	Audio mixer controls, position sensors
Rotary Slide Potentiometers	Combines rotational-to-linear motion conversion	Industrial machine calibration
Digital Slide Potentiometers	Microcontroller-adjustable resistance via digital interfaces	Smart instrumentation systems
Multi-turn Slide Potentiometers	High-precision adjustment over multiple linear strokes	Lab measurement equipment

3. Structure & Components

Typical construction includes:

Resistive Track: Made from carbon composition, conductive plastic, or metal film materials
Sliding Contact: Precious metal alloy wiper with low contact resistance
Body Housing: Insulating polymer casing with mounting features
Terminal Connections: Solderable pins or PCB-mount terminals
Dust Seal: Protective cover for environmental resistance

The linear motion mechanism maintains constant electrical contact while translating mechanical position into variable resistance.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Resistance Range	10 to 100k standard values	Determines control range
Power Rating	0.1W to 2W	Dictates current handling capability
Resolution	0.01% to 0.1%	Measurement precision indicator
Linearity	0.1% to 1%	Accuracy of resistance vs. position
Mechanical Life	50,000 to 500,000 cycles	Product durability specification
Temperature Coefficient	50 to 400 ppm/ C	Stability under thermal variation

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: Audio equipment level controls, display calibration
Industrial: CNC machine position feedback, process control systems
Automotive: Seat position sensors, climate control interfaces
Medical: Imaging equipment parameter adjustment, patient monitoring
Avionics: Flight control surface position sensing

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Bourns Inc.	PST08 Series	High-precision conductive plastic design
Vishay Precision Group	28X Series	Multi-turn micro-linear technology
TT Electronics	PC16 Series	Harsh environment durability
CTS Electronic Components	459 Series	Low-noise audio taper design

7. Selection Recommendations

Key selection criteria:

Match resistance range to circuit requirements
Verify power dissipation capabilities
Choose linearity tolerance based on system accuracy needs
Consider environmental ratings (temperature, vibration)
Evaluate mechanical life expectancy vs. application demand
Assess mounting compatibility (PCB, panel, etc.)

8. Industry Trends

Current development directions include:

Miniaturization for portable device integration
Improved digital interface compatibility
Enhanced environmental resistance (IP67+ ratings)
Integration with IoT-enabled sensor networks
Advanced conductive materials for longer life

Market growth is driven by automation systems and precision instrumentation demands, with projected 5.8% CAGR through 2030.