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Introduction - Basic Potentiometer Theory • Resistors • Building Potentiometers • Modern Variable Resistive Devices • Applications Modes • The Parts of a Potentiometer • Resistive Elements • Cermet • Conductive Plastic • Hybrid Elements • Terminations • Contacts • Electrical Parameters • Total Resistance • Minimum Resistance • End Resistance • Contact Resistance • Contact Resistance Variation • Equivalent Noise Resistance • Output Smoothness • Adjustability • Temperature Coefficient • Resolution • Conformity • Linearity • Power Rating • Summary of Electrical Parameters • Useful Terms
Introduction - Basic Potentiometer Theory
A lot of history and precision goes into every Bourns resistive device, as you will learn in this module. A major portion of this module treats the most common electrical parameters which are of interest to circuit designers. You need to become familiar with these terms, and what they mean, because you will hear them often.
The main benefits of your successfully completing this module are that:
- you will be better able to help your customer select the proper resistive device for his needs
- you will feel more confident and knowledgeable when talking to your customer
Bourns objective for this module is to introduce you to the historical development of the variable resistive device, and to briefly describe the most important potentiometer parameters.
When you have completed this module, you should be able to remember:
- the main types of resistive elements
- the main types of variable resistive devices
- the three main parts of a potentiometer
- an advantage and a limitation for each type of variable resistive device
In addition, you should also be able to:
- define, in your own words, the resistance parameters that were discussed
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