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A potentiometer is a variable resistor. Potentiometers enable you to regulate and change the current flowing through a circuit. Potentiometers can also be called pots or potmeters. You can learn more in our [guide to potentiometers](/web/content/discovery/ideas-and-advice/potentiometers-guide).

Potentiometers have two terminals that are fixed to a resistive element (the track). The resistive element is typically wirewound or made from carbon, cermet or conductive plastic. The third terminal is connected to the wiper, which is a sliding contact. As the wiper moves along the track, the resistance changes and the current flowing through the circuit changes.

### Types of potentiometer

**Rotary potentiometers** are easily controlled by turning a spindle or a knob. Rotary potentiometers can be single turn or multiturn.

**Slide potentiometers** are also known as slider potentiometers or fader potentiometers. To use a slide potentiometer, it's simply a case of sliding a fader along a straight track to change the resistance.

**Trimmer potentiometers**, sometimes called trimpots, are used to calibrate and fine-tune circuits and can be mounted straight onto a PCB (printed circuit board). Trimmer potentiometers are easy to adjust with a screwdriver.

**String potentiometers** (or string pots) take movement and transform it into an electrical signal.

**Membrane potentiometers** are completely flat. Membrane potentiometers change their resistance when pressure is applied to the membrane.

### Do I need a potentiometer with a linear or logarithmic taper?

The taper you need for your potentiometer depends on the intended application.

For potentiometers with a linear taper, the resistance between one end of the track and the wiper varies at a constant rate. If you turn the potentiometer halfway or slide the fader halfway along the track, the resistance will be half of the total resistance. Linear taper potentiometers are typically used in applications such as light dimmer switches.

For logarithmic taper potentiometers, the resistance does not vary at a constant rate. The level of resistance moves exponentially up or down. A potentiometer that has been turned or moved halfway along its track, will not produce resistance that is half the total resistance. Logarithmic potentiometers are commonly used for audio applications.

### What is the difference between a potentiometer and a rheostat?

The key difference is the number of terminals that each device has. Potentiometers have three terminals while rheostats only have two terminals.

### Looking for peripherals for your potentiometer?
- [Potentiometer Knobs](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/)
- [Potentiometer Accessories](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-accessories/)
- [Potentiometer Mounting Nuts](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-mounting-nuts/)


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<p>Linear potentiometers are ones that either slide or have a push/pull motion. The variable resistance is determined by how far it has travelled, the further the wiper travels the higher the resistance. Like many potentiometers these include 3 outputs. 2 outputs are connected to the resistor to keep a fixed resistance, whereas the third output is connected to the wiper to determine the distance it has travelled.</p>

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Rotary Potentiometers are used for obtaining adjustable supply voltage to a part of an electric circuit and also electric circuits. A good example of a rotary potentiometer is the volume control on your audio system, this controls the voltage supply to the amplifier. These type of potentiometers can be used where smooth voltage control is required.

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<p>Slide Potentiometers can also be known as Fader potentiometers are panel controls that are designed for applications that need frequent adjustments. These potentiometers come in various sizes and shaft/ bushing combinations</p><h2>Types of Potentiometer</h2><p>There are different types of slider potentiometers also known as pots</p><ul><li>Single Slider pot</li><li>Dual slide pot </li><li>Multi turn pots</li><li>Motorized fader</li></ul><h2>Typical Applications that use Slide Potentiometers</h2><ul><li>Medical Equipment</li><li>Test and Measurement</li><li>Consumer Electronics</li><li>Audio mixing consoles</li></ul><p>We also offer a wide range of <a href="/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/">Potentiometer Knobs</a> and <a href="/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-accessories/">Potentiometer Accessories</a></p>

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<p>A '10K Potentiometer' is a potentiometer that has a 10k resistance. When you move your wiper, this will adjust the variable resistor resistance from 0 up to 10k. 10K Potentiometers can come as rotary, linear and many other types of potentiometers. You can set the resistance between 0-10k depending how far you twist/move your wiper.</p>

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