by The typical potentiometer is an electrical device with three terminals. It can adjust and divide the level of voltage with either a sliding or rotational mechanism. Potentiometers are found in almost every electronic device where sound or visual elements can be adjusted in various ways. Controlling the level of voltage is how these elements are adjusted.
For instance, we need potentiometers to adjust the volume of the sound that is emitted by our favorite audio devices. These devices may include radios, speakers, and all-electric musical instruments. People don’t often think about how these adjustments are made, but they are because of potentiometers.
The two main types of potentiometers are linear potentiometers and rotary potentiometers. The former typically has a sliding mechanism while the latter typically has a rotational mechanism. Let’s examine each one of these potentiometers more closely to understand the differences.
Linear Potentiometer
In a linear potentiometer, you have one end of the resistor that is linked to a series of terminals. The electrical signal is determined by judging the resistance that exists between these terminals and the wiper terminal. The distance between the terminals should coincide with the resistance.
Advantages
Some of the most sophisticated electronic devices have a variety of sliders on them. The two best examples are graphic equalizers and soundboards. These contain linear potentiometers with sliding mechanisms everywhere. You can just take one look at the position of the sliders and know exactly what the levels are at. This is better than the rotational potentiometers, where you cannot tell what level they are at.
Disadvantages
Linear potentiometers are more easily susceptible to contamination because they have a long open slot on them. Since the slider itself only takes up a small amount of space on the slot, that leaves the rest of the slot vulnerable to all kinds of environmental elements and debris. It wouldn’t be hard to spill food or drinks into the slots and have the devices get ruined from that.
In addition, you have to do a more thorough cleaning job because dust and other debris particles will naturally accumulate inside of the open slots. You need a special cleaning tool that can fit into the narrow slot opening and clean out these elements. If you fail to clean your slots regularly, then the device won’t have a long life.
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Rotary Potentiometer
A rotary potentiometer uses a rotational mechanism to alter the point of contact that exists between the circular resistor and the wiper terminal. The user can turn a knob on the electrical device to make these adjustments. Every complete rotation of the knob is the equivalent of one revolution. The resistor is actually almost all circular, with the exception of a small notch that has been taken out.
Advantages
Rotary potentiometers work great with smaller electronic devices because you don’t need a lot of space for them. All you need is enough room to fit a turning knob on the device. Then users can turn the knob to make the necessary adjustments. Linear potentiometers with sliders require a lot more space because they need to make room for the length of the open slots so that the slider can move around on it. That is why you always see sliders on those bigger devices, such as soundboards.
Disadvantages
It is more difficult to understand the level of the rotary potentiometers. There may be small markings along the perimeter of the knob to indicate the level, but they are often difficult to see. This is even more true with smaller electronic devices that have no markings at all. You’ll end up having to turn the knob just to test the level for yourself.
