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Potentiometer

maker

A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a rotating or sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider.

expanded

A potentiometer provides a variable resistance that can be used to control the level of an electrical signal in circuits. It is commonly used for adjusting levels in audio equipment, modifying input signals, or as a feedback component in control systems.

examples

A 10 kΩ rotary potentiometer used in audio volume control.

Potentiometers in audio equipment allow users to adjust the volume output by varying the resistance, thus changing the audio signal level.

A 100 kΩ linear potentiometer used in dimmer switches for lighting.

In lighting control systems, potentiometers function to vary light intensity by adjusting the current flowing to the light source.

related terms

Resistor
A resistor is a passive electrical component that implements electrical resistance as a circuit element.
Thermistor
A thermistor is a type of resistor whose resistance varies significantly with temperature.
Impedance
Impedance is the measure of opposition that a circuit presents to a current when a voltage is applied.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
PWM is a modulation technique used to encode information into a pulsing signal by varying the pulse width.
Resistance
The opposition to the flow of electric current, typically measured in ohms (Ω).