| |
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
Electrical Parameters
Engineers are inclined to quantify performance whenever possible. This certainly applies to important electrical components such as potentiometers. It is important that you understand the meaning of the electrical parameters normally associated with potentiometers, so that you can explain them when called upon to do so by your customers.
In fact, your understanding of these terms is essential to your success in understanding customer needs and in providing solutions. Mechanical and environmental specifications will be discussed in the modules that deal specifically with the products.
In this section, we are going to examine the following electrical parameters. You need to understand the meaning and importance of each one. In succeeding modules we will explain Bourns products in terms of these 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
|
