A potentiometer is used for

Answer 1

A potentiometer is another name for a variable resister used for voltage dividing. Potentiometers have three tabs on them The two outer most tabs have the full resistance of the device across them. The center tab is connected to the wiper that slides across the surface of the resister. A voltage is applied to the two outside tabs on the potentiometer. A voltage of your choosing will appear across either the left tab to the center wiper tab or from the right tab and the center wiper tab. A potentiometer of this type is used to control the speed output of variable frequency drives. A 10K potentiometer has 10VDC applied across the two outside tabs If the drive sees the full 10 volts it allows the drive to go to full output and the motor will run at full speed. With the potentiometer's center tab wiper at half position a voltage of 5 VDC will appear to the drive. When the drive sees the 5 volts it tells the drive to go to half speed output and the motor will run at half speed. This potentiometer is linear so no matter where the wiper is positioned, the motor speed will follow the potentiometer settings from 1% right up to 100%

Answer 2

A potentiometer is a type of position sensor. They are used to measure displacement in any direction. Linear potentiometers linearly measure displacement and rotary potentiometers measure rotational displacement.

Also known as a Potmeter or Pot, it consists of a resistive element called the track and a sliding contact called the wiper internally where end terminals are attached to the resistive element.

They are used to accurately measure voltage and help achieve a variable voltage from a fixed-voltage source.

Common Examples of Potentiometers are:

• Measuring Position on a gaming joystick
• Controlling audio equipment using volume controls

Answer 3

A device basically used for the measurement of potential difference between two points of an electric circuit.

Though the above mentioned application is the primary one, the other measurements using this device are :

Determination of :

• internal resistance of a cell

• E.M.F of a cell

Comparison of E.M.F 's of 2 cells.

Another Answer

A potentiometer is also the name given to a variable resistor, connected in such a way that it will vary a d.c. voltage applied to a circuit.

Answer 4

Volume control, adjustments on electronic gear, adjustable light dimmers, etc.

The potentiometer could also be used as a sensor.