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Potentiometer Design Information

Applying a Shunt resistor to change a Potentiometer characteristics
Green is the Potentiometer, Red, and Blue are the change due to the shunt

There are three types of Variable Resistors, each of which consist of a three terminal resistor; two fixed end leads and one lead attached to a variable tap. The variable tap is movable to change the resistance, between the tap and terminal.
Potentiometer: Designed for frequent changes ~ a volume control
Trimmer: Designed for less then frequent changes [occasional]~ a trim pot on a PCB to finalize a circuit resistance.
Rheostat: A three terminal potentiometer which only uses two terminals.
The material used determines the Variable Resistor's operational range [temperature and wattage]. The material may be;
Carbon composition, Resistive wire [Wirewound], Conductive Plastic, and Cermet [a mixture of ceramic and metal].

Potentiometer Types

Potentiometer Temperature Range / Derating

Component Derating Guidelines

Back to the Logic Design Page or the [Variable Resistors], Potentiometer Manufacturers Page.
Select the Components icon below for all other Passive or Active components.

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