Component knowledge
Potentiometer
Potentiometer is a resistive element with three Terminal part and the resistance can be adjusted according to
a certain variation. Potentiometer is often made up by resistance and removable brush. When the brush
moves along the resistor body, there will be resistance or voltage that has a certain relationship with
displacement on the output side (3). Figure shown below is the linear sliding potentiometer and its symbol.
What between potentiometer pin 1 and pin 2 is the resistor body, and pins 3 is connected to brush. When
brush moves from pins 1 to pin 2, the resistance between pin 1, and pin 3 will increase up to body resistance
linearly, and the resistance between pin 2 and pin 3 will decrease down to 0 linearly.
In the circuit. The both sides of resistance body are often connected to the positive and negative electrode of
the power. When you slide the brush pin 3, you can get a certain voltage in the range of the power supply.
Rotary potentiometer
Rotary potentiometer and linear potentiometer have similar function; the only difference is: the resistance is
adjusted through rotating the potentiometer.