Potentiometers Variable Resistors

Potentiometers and variable resistors provide adjustable resistance for calibration, volume control, position sensing, and tuning applications. This category includes rotary potentiometers (panel mount, PCB mount), trimmer potentiometers (single-turn, multi-turn), slide potentiometers, digital potentiometers (I²C/SPI programmable), and rheostats. Key parameters: resistance range, tolerance, power rating, taper (linear, audio/log), number of turns/gangs, and rotational life (cycles). Digital potentiometers offer non-volatile wiper memory and eliminate mechanical wear-out. Trimmers serve for one-time factory calibration; panel-mount pots for user-accessible controls. Popular manufacturers: Bourns, Vishay, ALPS, TE Connectivity, TT Electronics, Honeywell, and Nidec Copal.