Linear Potentiometers

Linear potentiometers are sensors that produce a resistance output proportional to the displacement or position. The resistance element is excited by either DC or AC voltage and the output voltage is ideally a linear function of the input displacement. Linear potentiometers are essentially variable resistors. They can be either wire-wound or conductive plastic and either rectangular or cylindrical.

Linear potentiometers are common contact transducers in the form of variable resistors with three leads. Two leads connect to the ends of the resistor, so the resistance between them is fixed. The third lead connects to a slider or wiper that travels along the resistor and the resistance between it and each of the other two connections varies. For example, with a 1 kW potentiometer, the resistance between the wiper lead and either of the other two leads can vary from zero to 1 kW depending on the position of the wiper.

The most important specification for linear potentiometers is the working range or travel distance. Accuracy and linearity are rated as a percentage of full scale. Also important are the total resistance, resistance tolerance and life expectancy. Typically linear potentiometers have a lifespan in the millions of strokes.

A probe configuration is used to detect the position of an object without being attached to the object. The probe can be pushed into the target by use of a spring, motor or pneumatic force. Electrical outputs for linear potentiometers can include analog, digital and even computer signals. As special features, linear potentiometers can be sealed from environmental contamination and can also have a free rotating shaft. These devices can be as simple as a raw sensing element or as complicated as an instrument with local displays and controls and output to a computer host.

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Part Numbers for Linear Potentiometers