About Potentiometers, Trimmers & Rheostats
Potentiometers, Trimmers & Rheostats
A potentiometer, trimmer, and rheostat are all three types of resistors that are adjustable. They are used to control the electric current by varying the resistance in the circuit.A potentiometer is an adjustable three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact (wiper) that moves across a resistive element to change resistance in a circuit. They are used in audio controls, light dimmers, and other applications that require adjustable resistance in the circuit.A trimmer is a miniature version of a potentiometer, and it’s used to make fine adjustments in electronics circuits. It can be used for voltage and current adjustments, and for tuning circuits for maximum performance.A rheostat is an adjustable two-terminal rotor, and it’s used to control the current in a circuit. It’s often used to control the speed of a motor or other electrical device.