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What is a Potentiometer Used for?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Potentiometers are a form of electrical resistors. While not designed to carry a great deal of electrical current, they are often ideal for small jobs. A potentiometer is helpful in such common tasks as adjusting the volume level on a radio, or changing channels on some types of television sets.

In construction, a potentiometer uses either a two or three terminal configuration. A slide-wire contact is used to create a voltage divider that can be adjusted to different settings as needed. It is this ability to make an adjustment in position that makes it possible for the resistor to be useful in simple management tasks associated with the operation of small electrical devices.

Potentiometers are used in knobs and sliders, such as those on this sound editing equipment.
Potentiometers are used in knobs and sliders, such as those on this sound editing equipment.

The amount of power controlled by a potentiometer is very small. In most cases, the voltage output and input is no more than a single watt, but this is enough power to allow simple manipulation of many electrical devices. Along with the volume control on a radio, this resistor provides enough power control to trigger the on/off function on a number of devices, as well as increase of decrease the flow of current to a given device. Light fixtures and lamps that have a dimmer control are able to brighten and dim the output of light with the aid of a potentiometer.

Potentiometer.
Potentiometer.

A potentiometer may be activated with the use of a knob that is turned to various settings, a slide control, or even a simple switch. In all cases, the movement of the outward mechanism activates the function of the resistor and helps to achieve the desired effect. The range of movement allowed will depend on the construction of the electrical device and the exact configuration of the potentiometer. In many cases, one complete circle or turn is permitted among a limited amount of selections along a scale. Some devices use a model that allows for multiple revolutions around the range, however, increasing the number of settings that may be chosen. This is particularly true when the resistor is used to control volume levels.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including EasyTechJunkie, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including EasyTechJunkie, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon970721

Potentiometers are used in titration too.

anon331434

Potentiometers are used to measure an electromotive force (emf) or a voltage.

zahren

I just found out that there are a lot of kind of potentiometers like thinpot, softpot and etc. There are also diagrams that let me understand more what is in used. In your blog you didn't include that it is a three-wire system with two resistive output channels and an electrical collector channel. Well, anyway I think your post is really informative though.

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    • Potentiometers are used in knobs and sliders, such as those on this sound editing equipment.
      By: franz massard
      Potentiometers are used in knobs and sliders, such as those on this sound editing equipment.
    • Potentiometer.
      Potentiometer.