Potentiometer

Originally the term potentiometer was used to decribe an apparatus used to measure the potential (or voltage) in a circuit by tapping off a portion of a known voltage from a resistive slide wire and comparing it with the unknown voltage by means of a voltmeter or galvanometer.

Related Topics:
Potential - Voltmeter - Galvanometer

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The present popular usage of the term potentiometer (or 'pot' for short) describes an electronic component which has a user adjustable resistance. Usually, this is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact in the center. If all three terminals are used, it acts as a variable voltage divider. Potentiometers are also widely used as a part of displacement transducers because of the simplicity of construction and because they can give a large output signal.

Related Topics:
Electronic - Resistance - Voltage divider - Displacement transducers

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