| Attenuators |
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A device that maintains input impedance and the output impedance at an equal and constant level as the amount of attenuation is varied. |
| Cermet |
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A mixture of metal particles, precious metal oxides, glass powders, and a liquid vehicle, screened onto a substrate (commonly ceramic) and fired at temperatures that flow glass. |
| Conductive plastic |
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A binder or resin carrying carbon powder and/or other conductive material screened onto an insulating substrate. |
| Contact resistance variation (CRV) |
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The variation in resistance between the wiper and a non-wirewound resistive element when the wiper is energized with a specified current and moved over the electrical travel in either direction at a specified speed (does not include the effects of roll-on or roll-off). |
| Cycle (Potentiometer) |
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One traversal of the wiper over at least 90% of the electrical travel in both directions. |
| End resistance |
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The resistance measured between the wiper terminal and end terminal with the shaft positioned at the corresponding end of mechanical travel. |
| Equivalent noise resistance (ENR) |
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The variation in resistance between the wiper and a wirewound resistive element when the wiper is energized with a specified current and moved over the electrical travel in either direction at a specified speed (does not include the effects of roll-on or roll-off). |
| Hybritron® |
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A hybrid element consisting of a wirewound element with a conductive plastic coating; this element will exhibit the stability characteristics of a wirewound element with the long operational life of a CP element. |
| Independent linearity |
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The maximum deviation of the actual function characteristic from a straight reference line with its slope and position chosen to minimize deviations. |
Load |
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The ability of a component to dissipate rated power for a specified length of time under specific operating conditions while remaining within allowable specifications. |
| Minimum resistance |
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The resistance measured between the wiper terminal and any other terminal with the shaft positioned to give the minimum value. |
| Noise |
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Any spurious variation in the electrical output not present in the input. |
| Output smoothness |
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A measurement of any instantaneous variation in the electrical output not present in the input. |
| Potentiometers |
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A variable resistive device used in applications that typically require frequent or even constant adjustment. |
| Power rating |
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The maximum power that a component can dissipate under specified conditions while meeting specified performance requirements. |
| Resolution |
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A measure of the sensitivity to which the output ratio of the potentiometer may be set. |
| Rheostat |
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A variable resistor configured so that all the current flows through the wiper. |
| Roll-on/Roll-off |
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The abrupt output voltage or resistance change observed as the shaft is displaced from the end of mechanical travel into the electrical travel. |
| Rotational Life |
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The ability of a component to withstand a specified number of cycles under specific operating conditions while remaining within allowable specifications. |
| Solderability |
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The ability of the terminals to be wetted by a coating of solder under specified conditions. |
| Tap |
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An electrical connection fixed to an intermediate point on the resistive element. |
| Taper |
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The output curve of resistance measured between one end of the element and the wiper. |
| Temperature coefficient of resistance (TC) |
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The unit of change in resistance per °C temperature change from a reference temperature to a specified test temperature, expressed in PPM/°C |
| Total resistance (TR) |
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The unit of change in resistance per °C temperature change from a reference temperature to a specified test temperature, expressed in PPM/°C |
| Voltage divider |
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A potentiometer configured in a circuit such that the resistive element is substituted for two resistors in series with the wiper providing an adjustable output voltage. |
| Wirewound |
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A resistive element made from multiple turns of wire around an insulated mandrel or cord. |
