Cover image for Pots

Pots

Pots (Potentiometers) are electrical components that are used to measure and adjust the amount of resistance in a circuit.

Robot Tips pots Potentiometers How it works

15 January 2023 by Kevin McAleer | Share this article on


Pots (Potentiometers) are electrical components that are used to measure and adjust the amount of resistance in a circuit.

They have three terminals and are commonly used as volume controls and in adjustable circuits. The resistance of the potentiometer is adjusted by rotating a shaft or sliding a contact along a track.


Types of Pots

There are two main types of potentiometers: rotary and linear.

Rotary potentiometers have a circular track that is rotated by the shaft, while linear potentiometers have a straight track that is adjusted by sliding the contact.

Both types can be used to measure the position of the contact along the track, or to control the amount of resistance in the circuit.

Rotary Pot

Linear Pot


Logarithmic vs Linear pots

Logarithmic pots are used for audio applications because they provide a more natural response when turning the pot.

Linear pots, on the other hand, provide a consistent output across the entire range of the pot. Logarithmic pots are better suited for applications where the user needs to make more subtle adjustments over a wider range, such as guitar volume and tone controls. Linear pots are better for applications where the user needs to make more precise adjustments over a smaller range, such as mixer faders.


Video

This video shows how to use Potentiometers with a Raspberry Pi Pico using MicroPython.


Did you find this content useful?


If you found this high quality content useful please consider supporting my work, so I can continue to create more content for you.

I give away all my content for free: Weekly video content on YouTube, 3d Printable designs, Programs and Code, Reviews and Project write-ups, but 98% of visitors don't give back, they simply read/watch, download and go. If everyone who reads or watches my content, who likes it, helps fund it just a little, my future would be more secure for years to come. A price of a cup of coffee is all I ask.

There are a couple of ways you can support my work financially:


If you can't afford to provide any financial support, you can also help me grow my influence by doing the following:


Thank you again for your support and helping me grow my hobby into a business I can sustain.
- Kevin McAleer