Potentiometers

A potentiometer is a three-terminal, manually adjustable resistor used to vary voltage in a circuit. Two terminals connect to the ends of a resistive element, while the third connects to a movable contact known as the wiper. As the wiper slides across the resistive element, it divides the resistance into two parts, effectively functioning as a variable voltage divider. When a reference voltage is applied across the end terminals, the output voltage at the wiper changes based on its position.

Often called “pots”, potentiometers are key components in electrical and electronic systems. They serve as user-adjustable controls for tuning, calibration, or signal modulation and are commonly found in audio equipment, instrumentation, robotics, and control systems, making them indispensable in many applications.