How to Select a Potentiometer?

The potentiometer is also called a POT or variable resistor. These are used to provide a variable resistance by just changing the knob on the potentiometer. The classification of this can be done based on two important parameters like Resistance (R-ohms) & Power rating (P-Watts).

The potentiometer resistance otherwise its value mainly decides how much resistance it gives to the current flow. When the resistor value is high then the less value of current will flow. Some of the potentiometers are 500Ω, 1K ohm, 2K ohm, 5K ohm, 10K ohm, 22K ohm, 47K ohm, 50K ohm, 100K ohm, 220K ohm, 470K ohm, 500K ohm, 1M.

The classification of resistors mainly depends on how much current it allows to flow through it, which is known as power rating. The power rating of a potentiometer is 0.3W & therefore it can be used simply for low-current circuits.

There are still several kinds of potentiometers and their selection mainly depends on certain necessities like the following.

• The necessities of the Structure
• The Resistance Change Characteristics
• Choose the kind of potentiometer based on the necessities of Use
• Choose the parameters based on the necessities of the circuit