DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : P. VENKAT RAO.
Designation : Lecturer.
Branch : Electronics and Communication Engg.
Institute : Govt. Model Residential Polytechnic,
Gajwel.
Year / Semester : I Year.
Subject : Electronic Components & Materials.
Subject Code : EC-105
Major Topic : Resistors.
Duration : 100 Mts.
Sub Topic : Constructional features of Carbon
potentiometers.
Teaching Aids : ANIMATIONS & DIAGRAMS
EC105. 8 TO 9 1
 Objectives
On the completion of this period, you would be able to
understand the following:

• Definition of a potentiometer.

• Types of potentiometer.

• Constructional details of carbon potentiometer.

• Specifications of carbon potentiometers.

• Applications of carbon potentiometers.

EC105. 8 TO 9 2
Recap
In the previous topic you have learnt about the
following points:

• Features of carbon resistors (fixed values).

• Features of Metal film resistors (fixed values).

• Features of Wire-wound resistors (fixed values).

• Applications and specifications of above types of

resistors of fixed value.

EC105. 8 TO 9 3
Definition of a Potentiometer

• A potentiometer is a variable resistor.

• Its resistance changes from a minimum to a maximum

value for which it is designed.

• They are required for change of volume (sound),

brightness and contrast controls in practical applications
like in TV and Radio receivers.

EC105. 8 TO 9 4
Types of Potentiometers

• Based on the material used they are classified into two

types basically.

1. Carbon potentiometer.

2. Wire – wound potentiometer.

EC105. 8 TO 9 5
Circuit symbol of variable resistors

Fig 1
VARIABLE RESISTOR SYMBOL

• This type of variable resistor with 3 contacts (a potentiometer)

is usually used to control voltage. It can be used like this as a
transducer converting position (angle of the control spindle) to
an electrical signal.

EC105. 8 TO 9 6
 Circuit symbol of variable resistors (preset)

Fig 2 VARIABLE RESISTOR (PRESET)

• This type of variable resistor (a preset) is operated with a

small screwdriver or similar tool. It is designed to be set
when the circuit is made and then left without further
adjustment. Presets are cheaper than normal variable
resistors so they are often used in projects to reduce the
cost.
EC105. 8 TO 9 7
CARBON POTENTIOMETER

• Carbon composition material is used as Resistive

element.
• There are two types available.
1. Film type.
2. Moulded type.

• In both the types of Carbon Potentiometer again

there are two types of classification.

1. Linear Potentiometer.
2. Non-Linear Potentiometer.

EC105. 8 TO 9 8
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 3

EC105. 8 TO 9 9
Film type Carbon Potentiometer
• A mixture of carbon and graphite is added with resin
bends and a film is coated on an insulating base to form
carbon track.

• Three leg terminals are fixed.

• Legs 1 and 3 are taken at the ends of carbon track.

• Leg 2 is taken from the rotating arm which moves on the

carbon resistive track.
EC105. 8 TO 9 10
Film type Carbon Potentiometer

• A mixture of Carbon and Graphite is added with resin

binder and a film is coated on an insulating base.

• The insulating base forms the carbon track.

• Three lug terminals are fixed.

• Lugs 1 & 3 are fixed at the two ends of the carbon track.

• Lug 2 is fixed to the rotating arm which makes contact

with the resistive carbon track.
EC105. 8 TO 9 11
 Film type Carbon Potentiometer

• As the shaft is rotated the arm moves the wiper to make

contacts at different positions on the resistive element.

Fig 4

• Hence the resistance varies.

SHEET METAL CASE

• Entire assembly is enclosed by a case of sheet metal.

EC105. 8 TO 9 12
Linear type Potentiometer

• In the Linear type Potentiometer the width of carbon

composition is uniform through out the carbon track.

• In the Non-Linear Potentiometer either the track width

changes on carbon composition changes through out the
carbon track.

• In the Non-Linear type the variation of resistance is not

proportion to the shaft rotation.

EC105. 8 TO 9 13
 Graphs Showing Variation of resistance
vs angle of rotation of shaft

R
R E
E SI
SI S
S T
T A
A N
N C
C E
E
ANGULAR ROTATION OF SHAFT
ANGULAR ROTATION OFSHAFT
Fig 5 Fig 6

LINEAR VARIATION NON-LINEAR VARIATION

OR LOGARITHAMIC
EC105. 8 TO 9 14
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 7
EC105. 8 TO 9 15
Carbon Film Potentiometer

Fig 8

EC105. 8 TO 9 16
Carbon Film Potentiometer

Fig 9
EC105. 8 TO 9 17
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 10
EC105. 8 TO 9 18
Carbon Potentiometer rotary motor type

Fig 11
EC105. 8 TO 9 19
Carbon Potentiometer

FIG 12
EC105. 8 TO 9 20
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 13
EC105. 8 TO 9 21
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 14
EC105. 8 TO 9 22
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 15
EC105. 8 TO 9 23
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 16
EC105. 8 TO 9 24
Carbon Potentiometer

Fig 17
EC105. 8 TO 9 25
Carbon Potentiometer with rotating shaft

Fig 18

EC105. 8 TO 9 26
Carbon Potentiometer with rotating shaft

Fig 19
EC105. 8 TO 9 27
Carbon Potentiometer with preset
arrangement

Fig 20
EC105. 8 TO 9 28
Specifications

• Resistance value : 100 Ω to 25 milli Ω

• Tolerance : ± 10 % and ± 20 %

• Power rating : ¼ watts to 2 watts.

EC105. 8 TO 9 29
Applications

• Used for volume and tone controls in radio and TV

receivers.

• Used for brightness, focus and contrast controls in TV

receivers.

• Used in amplifier and oscillator circuits.

EC105. 8 TO 9 30
Summary

In this topic you have learnt about

• Potentiometer?

• Types of Potentiometers.

• Constructional details of carbon pots.

• Linear and Non-Linear variation in Potentiometers.

EC105. 8 TO 9 31
QUIZ

EC105. 8 TO 9 32
1. The resistive material used in carbon potentiometer
is

a. Finely divided carbon

c. Graphite

e. Nichrome

g. Mixture of carbon with resin binder

EC105. 8 TO 9 33
2. The power rating of a carbon potentiometer is

a. 2 Watts

c. 5 Watts

e. 10 Watts

g. 20 Watts

EC105. 8 TO 9 34
Frequently asked questions

• Describe the constructional features of the Carbon

Potentiometer with a neat sketch.

• Mention the specifications of Carbon Potentiometer.

• List the applications of Carbon Potentiometer.

EC105. 8 TO 9 35