Le potentiomètre n'a plus vraiment de secret pour les électriciens amateurs. Mais avec les différents modèles qui existent dans le commerce, il est normal de se sentir un peu perdu. Pas de panique, avec ce mini-guide, vous allez faire le tour des divers potentiomètres puis en découvrir les usages et le mode de fonctionnement.
The potentiometer no longer holds any secrets for amateur electricians. But with the different models that exist on the market, it's normal to feel a little lost. Don't panic, with this mini-guide you will go around the various potentiometers and then discover their uses and operating modes.
How does the potentiometer work?
Invented in 1841 by Johann Christian Poggendorff, the potentiometer contains 3 terminals and a slider. The first terminal is connected to the cursor which moves on a resistant track. The other two terminals are connected to the track. Originally, the potentiometer was used to measure battery potentials. Then, thanks to his great sensitivity, he was chosen to equip military vehicles.
Today, the potentiometer is an electronic component found in most electronic installations where it is used to collect voltage. By consulting the specialized site tme.eu , you will find that there are different types of potentiometers and over 500.000 quality electrical components. There are straight, rotating, mono, stereo, with stop position, without stop position, with center notch, coupled. These are characteristics that will influence your choice.
But the first criterion for choosing the potentiometer is technical between linear model, logarithmic model and digital model, which can be found here: https://www.tme.eu/fr/katalog/potentiometres_24/
The linear potentiometer
The linear potentiometer has a resistance value that varies proportionally to the distance between the terminals and the slider. This is the simplest version to measure voltage. Generally equips measuring devices such as gauges, mixing tables and equalizers.
The logarithmic potentiometer
When the resistance value decreases or increases as you move the cursor across the trace, the value is said to vary logarithmically or exponentially. The variation is slow on one side and fast on the other. This is why this model is widely used to adjust the sound volume of radios, amplifiers or headphones.
The digital potentiometer.
Unlike the analog potentiometer which varies its resistance by rotating mechanically, the digital potentiometer is a component that varies its resistance based on the digital value it receives (1 byte is sufficient). It is often used in electronic devices intended for audio/video processing to ensure safe use for the user.
