Potentiometers Flashcards
What do potentiometers do?
Potentiometers are variable resistors used to adjust voltage or resistance in a circuit.
How do potentiometers work?
They work by sliding a wiper along a resistive element to change the resistance between terminals.
What are the main types of potentiometers?
Rotary, linear, and trimmer potentiometers.
What is a rotary potentiometer?
A potentiometer operated by rotating a knob to adjust resistance.
What is a linear potentiometer?
A potentiometer with a slider that moves along a straight path to adjust resistance.
What is a trimmer potentiometer?
A small, adjustable potentiometer used for fine-tuning and calibration.
What is the resistance range of a potentiometer?
Typically ranges from a few ohms to several megohms, depending on the application.
What is the power rating of a potentiometer?
The maximum power it can dissipate, usually measured in watts (e.g., 0.25W, 1W).
What are logarithmic potentiometers?
Potentiometers where resistance changes exponentially, commonly used in audio volume controls.
How are potentiometers used in voltage divider circuits?
By connecting the ends of the resistive element across a voltage source and taking the output from the wiper.
What is a digital potentiometer?
A potentiometer controlled electronically via digital signals, often used in microcontroller applications.
How do you calculate the output voltage of a potentiometer?
By using Ohm’s Law - V=IR, and R is the resistance between the wiper and ground.
What are common applications of potentiometers?
Volume controls, brightness adjustment, and position sensing.
What is the difference between a single-turn and multi-turn potentiometer?
Single-turn potentiometers adjust resistance in one rotation, while multi-turn potentiometers require multiple rotations for finer adjustments.
What is the taper of a potentiometer?
The relationship between the rotation of the knob and the resistance change (linear or logarithmic).
What is a stereo potentiometer?
A dual-gang potentiometer with two resistive elements, used for controlling two channels, such as in audio systems.
How do you use a potentiometer as a rheostat?
Connect one terminal and the wiper to a circuit, leaving the other terminal unconnected.
What is a sealed potentiometer?
A potentiometer enclosed to protect it from dust, moisture, and contaminants.
What is a servo potentiometer?
A potentiometer integrated with a motor, used for precise position control in servo systems.
What are common issues with potentiometers?
Wiper wear, noise, dirt accumulation, and mechanical failure.
How do you clean a noisy potentiometer?
Use contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt and debris from the resistive element.
What is a slide potentiometer?
A potentiometer with a linear slider, often used in mixing consoles and equalizers.
What is a precision potentiometer?
A potentiometer with tight tolerances and stable performance, used in applications requiring high accuracy.
How do you test a potentiometer?
Use a multimeter to measure resistance between the terminals and check the wiper’s movement.
What is the function of the resistive element in a potentiometer?
To provide a variable resistance path for current to flow.
What materials are used for the resistive element in potentiometers?
Carbon, cermet, wire-wound, or conductive plastic.
How do you mount a potentiometer on a circuit board?
Align the pins with the PCB holes, solder them securely, and attach the body to the panel if needed.
What is a joystick potentiometer?
A dual-axis potentiometer used in joysticks to measure X and Y positions.
