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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
Terminations
Now that you have learned some detailed information about the various resistive elements, you are ready to explore the second basic part of a potentiometer, the terminations. Obviously, there must be some means of connection to the resistive element and the wiper that is accessible to the user. These connections, called terminations, take many forms depending on specific needs and applications.
There are two basic requirements for terminations:
- making connection to the element
- providing some form of external access terminal
The external terminals are designed to be compatible with the popular mounting and wiring techniques used throughout the electronics industry. Figure 2.42 shows the more common forms.
Figure 2.42
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