Potentiometers are used as a
- variable voltage source.
- variable resistor.
- variable current source.
Explanation from PART66Online
A potentiometer is fundamentally a variable resistor: a resistive track with a sliding wiper that changes the resistance in the circuit. When the wiper output is taken relative to both ends it acts as a voltage divider, but the device itself is a variable resistor rather than an active current or voltage source.
C
chevychase asked · 11 Apr 2013
Potentiometers are used as voltage dividers are the not? they have 3 connections, surely a rheostat would be a better variable resistor?
Community Comments (4)
T
trap2307
16 Apr 2013
Hello!
Potentiometers are used as a variable resistor. In different positions it gives different resistance.
gametrix.ru/useruploads/files/publica...
Potentiometers are used as a variable resistor. In different positions it gives different resistance.
gametrix.ru/useruploads/files/publica...
P
PART66Online
18 Apr 2013
Hello chevychase.
Generally, potentiometers are variable resistors So this is why answer is "variable resistor". But because they have 3 connections, they can be used as voltage dividers, as you said.
Generally, potentiometers are variable resistors So this is why answer is "variable resistor". But because they have 3 connections, they can be used as voltage dividers, as you said.
S
sasna
27 Jul 2013
All I learned is Pot varies voltage and resistor varies current, when you have a variable voltage in option, pls decide
M
MridulDev
28 Aug 2014
potentiometers are not source of voltage.so is
it doesnot matter if its variable or not.hence better option is variable resistor
it doesnot matter if its variable or not.hence better option is variable resistor
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