Hello everyone. Today, BOCHEN, a supplier of LCSC electronics, is sharing information about variable resistors. What is a variable resistor, and how does it differ from a potentiometer?
Variable resistors are a type of resistor that allows for adjustment of its electric resistance value. There are two types of resistors: fixed resistors and variable resistors based on the resistance value. Potentiometers are a type of adjustable resistor that has three pins. Potentiometers are the most common type of variable resistors, and they have a knob that can change the resistance value.
The difference between variable resistors from potentiometers
It is adjustable for both potentiometers and variable resistors. A Potentiometer commonly serves in circuits that require frequent adjustments, such as the volume control of electronic devices. On the other hand, a variable resistor is set just once during factory production, and the adjustment is permanent. Despite their differences in use, the principle behind both components remains the same. And their functions are similar. The potentiometer has an adjustable handle, but the variable resistor does not have a handle.
The precision adjustable potentiometer has the following specific characteristics:
- The potentiometer has an adjustable range and is mainly used for circuit (voltage or current) control. It is generally installed on the panel to facilitate adjustment. The variable resistor has a small adjustable range and serves for circuit parameter compensation. It is commonly on circuit boards;
- Potentiometers operate in different ways. And it is without an operating handle;
- The potentiometer has multiple connections, but the variable resistor does not;
- The potentiometer is large in size, solid in structure, and long in life;
- The resistance distribution characteristics of potentiometer resistors differ from those of the variable resistors. Additionally, the distribution characteristics of the potentiometer resistor vary depending on the various output function characteristics.
