Introduction • On Precision Pots • General Product Definitions • Construction Details • Multiturn Precision Pots • Resistive Elements • Terminals • Shaft-Rotor Assembly • Mechanical Rotation • Mounting Methods • 3540 Family • 3590 Family • Knobpot 3600 Family • Single-Turn Precision Pots • 6537/6637 Family • 6539/6639 Family • 3680 Pushbutton Family • Special Precision Pots • Shafts • Mounting Styles • Bearings • Torque • Linearity • Wiper Load • Low Current Applications • High Rotational Speed • Angles • Additional Taps • Sealed Units • Multicup Assemblies • Envelopes • Environmental • Competition • Useful Terms

Mechanical/Electrical Function

A voltage is applied across the element (TR) terminals with the wiper terminal functioning as a variable voltage tap.

Turning the shaft rotates the rotor block assembly. The wiper and guides track along the helical coiled element as the shaft rotates, moving the slider block back and forth along the rotor block. As the wiper contact moves along the resistive element, voltage is tapped off of the element and transmitted to the collector bar. The voltage is passed through the contact fingers to the collector ring and out through the wiper terminal.

Multi-turn precision potentiometers have a stop at both ends of travel.