Potentiometer is a kind of variable resistor, usually composed of a resistor and a rotating or sliding system, that is, by a moving contact to move on the resistor to obtain part of the voltage output.
Classification of potentiometers
According to the different materials required by its resistance body, potentiometers can be divided into carbon film potentiometers, metal film potentiometers, carbon solid potentiometers, organic solid potentiometers, wire-wound potentiometers, glass glaze potentiometers, etc.
According to its structure, potentiometers can be divided into single-coil, multi-coil potentiometers, single-coupling, double-coupling coaxial potentiometers, with switching potentiometers, locking and non-locking potentiometers. According to the adjustment mode, it is divided into rotary potentiometer and straight sliding potentiometer.
Parameters of potentiometer
The main parameters of potentiometer are nominal resistance, rated power, resolution, sliding noise, resistance change characteristics, wear resistance, zero resistance and temperature coefficient. In addition to the same parameters as the resistor, there are the following parameters.
1. Variation of resistance value
Potentiometer is divided into linear potentiometer, exponential potentiometer and logarithmic potentiometer according to the law of resistance change with contact when adjusting.
(1) The resistance value of the linear potentiometer changes linearly and uniformly with the movement of the sliding end. It is generally indicated by the character "X" and is suitable for the adjustment of partial pressure and bias flow.
(2) The resistance value of the logarithmic potentiometer changes logarithmically with the movement of the sliding end. It is generally represented by the character "D" and is suitable for the tone control of radios, audio systems, etc.
(3) The resistance value of the exponential potentiometer changes exponentially with the movement of the sliding end. It is generally represented by the character "Z" and is suitable for volume control of radios, stereos, etc.
2. Dynamic noise
Due to the uneven distribution of resistance values and the existence of sliding contact resistance, the sliding arm of the potentiometer generates noise when the resistance body moves. This noise will have a bad effect on electronic equipment.
Commonly used potentiometers are: WT series carbon film potentiometers, WH series synthetic film potentiometers, WS series organic solid core potentiometers, WTH-1, 2 series fine tuning glass glaze potentiometers, WH173 small straight slide carbon film resistors, WXD series wire wound potentiometers, etc.
Measurement of potentiometer
1. Potentiometer nominal resistance measurement
The potentiometer has three lead pieces: two end pieces and a center tap contact piece. When measuring the nominal resistance value, select the appropriate range of the multimeter ohm stop, put the two pens of the multimeter on the two ends of the potentiometer, and the resistance value indicated by the multimeter pointer is the nominal resistance value of the potentiometer.
2. Performance measurement
Performance measurement mainly measures whether the center tap contact plate of the potentiometer is in good contact with the resistance body. When measuring, rotate the center contact piece of the potentiometer to any end of the potentiometer, select the appropriate range of the multimeter ohm stop, put a pen of the multimeter on any piece of the two ends of the potentiometer, and put another pen on the center tap contact piece of the potentiometer. At this point, the reading on the multimeter should be the nominal value of the potentiometer or 0. Then slowly rotate the potentiometer knob to the other end, the multimeter reading will continuously decrease from the nominal value or continuously rise from 0 as the potentiometer knob rotates until it drops to zero or rises to the nominal resistance value.
In the process of rotating the potentiometer knob, the pointer of the multimeter should slide up or down smoothly, no jumping or jumping phenomenon, and the rotating inch potentiometer does not feel too loose or too tight.
In the test potentiometer is good or bad, the main requirement is that the resistance value meets the requirements; Second, the contact between the central sliding end and the resistance body is good, and the rotation is smooth. For a potentiometer with a switch, the switch part should be accurate, reliable and flexible. Therefore, the potentiometer performance must be checked before use.