Understanding Potentiometers and Resistors
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Potentiometers and Resistors
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsPOTENTIOMETER
A potentiometer is a resistor whose resistance value is variable. In this way,
indirectly, the current intensity flowing through a circuit can be controlled if
it connects in parallel, or the potential difference when connecting it in series. Usually,
Potentiometers are used in low current circuits. For current circuits
resistors, which can dissipate more power.
Rheostat
The rheostat is one of the two electrical functions of the device known as a resistor.
variable, variable or adjustable resistor. The function of a rheostat consists of the regulation of the
current intensity through the load, in such a way that the amount of is controlled
energy that flows towards it; it can be done in two equivalent ways: The
first connecting the cursor of the variable resistor to the load with one of the
ends to the terminal of the source; the second, connecting the cursor to one of the
ends of the variable resistor and to the load and the other to a terminal of the source of
electrical energy, that is, in a topology, with the load, of series connection circuit.
Rheostats are used in electrical technology (electrotechnics) for tasks such as the
engine start or any application that requires variation of resistance for the
control of electric current intensity.
RESISTOR
A resistor is called the electronic component designed to introduce resistance.
electric potential difference between two points in an electrical circuit. In the jargon itself
electric and electronic, are simply known as resistors. In other cases,
As in irons, heaters, etc., resistors are used to produce heat.
taking advantage of the Joule effect.
It is a material made of carbon and other resistive elements to reduce the
current that flows. It opposes the flow of current. The maximum current and difference of
the maximum potential across a resistor is conditioned by the maximum power it can handle
dissipate its body. This power can be visually identified from the diameter
Without the need for further indication. The most common values are 0.25 W, 0.5 W, and 1 W.
There are resistors of manually adjustable value, called potentiometers, rheostats or
simply variable resistors. Devices are also produced whose resistance
varies depending on external parameters, such as thermistors, which are resistors that
vary with temperature; the varistors that depend on the voltage to which they are
submitted, or the photoresistors that do so according to the light received.
Resistors are used in circuits to limit the value of the current or to set the
value of the voltage. See Ohm's Law. Unlike other components
In electronics, resistors do not have a defined polarity.
Coding Systems:
Color code
To characterize a resistor, three values are needed: electrical resistance, dissipation
maximum and precision or tolerance. These values are usually indicated in the
encapsulated depending on the type; for the axial encapsulation type, the one that
observe in the photographs, these values are labeled with a stripe code
colors.
These values are indicated with a set of colored stripes on the body of the
element. They are three, four, or five lines; leaving the tolerance line (normally
silver or gold) on the right, read from left to right. The last line indicates the
tolerance (precision). Of the remaining, the last is the multiplier and the others indicate
the significant figures of the resistance value.
The value of the electrical resistance is obtained by reading the figures as a number of one,
two or three digits; it is multiplied by the multiplier and the result is obtained in Ohms
(Ω). The temperature coefficient only applies to high-precision resistors.
or tolerance less than 1%.
How to read the value of a resistor?
In a resistor we generally have 4 color bands, although we can
find some that contain 5 lines (4 of colors and 1 that indicates tolerance). Let's go
to take as an example the most general, those of 4 lines. With the corresponding band to the
tolerance to the right, we read the remaining bands from left to right, as follows:
The first two bands form a two-digit integer:
The first line represents the tens digit.
The second line represents the digit of the units.
Then:
The third line represents the power of 10 by which the number is multiplied.
The numerical result is expressed in Ohms.
For example:
We observe the first line: green = 5
We observe the second line: yellow = 4
We observe the third line: red = 2 or 100
We combine the values of the first two lines and multiply by the value of the
third
54 X 102 = 5400Ω or 5.4 kΩ and this is the value of the resistance expressed in Ohms
Examples
Figure 3: Resistance of value 2,700,000 Ω and tolerance of ±10%.
The characterization of a resistance of 2,700,000 Ω (2.7 MΩ), with a tolerance
of ±10%, would be the one represented in figure 3:
1st digit: red (2)
2nd digit: violet (7)
Multiplier: green (100000)
Tolerance: silver (±10%)
Figure 4: Resistance of value 65 Ω and tolerance of ±2%.
The resistance value in figure 4 is 65 Ω with a tolerance of ±2% because:
1st digit: blue (6)
2nd digit: green (5)
3rd digit: black (0)
Multiplier: gold (10-1)
red (±2%)
DIRECT CURRENT
Direct current (DC) refers to the flow
electric charge flow through a conductor between two points of different potential
potential, which does not change in meaning over time. Unlike alternating current
(DC in Spanish, AC in English, for Alternating Current), in direct current the loads
Electric currents always flow in the same direction. Although it is commonly identified that
direct current with a constant current, it is continuous any current that maintains
always the same polarity, even as its intensity decreases as it is consumed
charge (for example when an electric battery is discharged). It is also referred to as current.
continues when electrons always move in the same direction, the flow is
It is called direct current and it flows (by convention) from the positive pole to the negative.
ALTERNATING CURRENT
It is called alternating current (abbreviated AC in Spanish and AC in English, from alternating
current) to the electric current in which the magnitude and direction vary cyclically.
The most commonly used waveform of alternating current is the oscillation.
sinusoidal with which a more efficient transmission of energy is achieved, to such an extent
When talking about alternating current, it is understood that it refers to alternating current.
sine
However, in certain applications, other forms of periodic oscillation are used.
such as the triangular or the square.
Used generically, AC refers to the way in which electricity arrives at the
homes and industries. However, the audio and radio signals transmitted by
electric cables are also examples of alternating current. In these uses, the end is more
important is usually the transmission and recovery of the coded information (or
modulated) on the AC signal.
Alternating current versus direct current
The reason for the widespread use of alternating current is determined by its ease of transformation,
quality that direct current lacks. In the case of direct current, the rise of the
tension is achieved by connecting dynamos in series, which is not very practical; on the contrary, in alternating current
There is a device: the transformer, which allows for efficient voltage increase.
Electric energy is given by the product of voltage, current, and time. Since the
the section of the conductors of the electric power transmission lines depends on the intensity,
through a transformer, the voltage can be raised to high values (high voltage), decreasing in
the same proportion of current intensity. With this, the same energy can be distributed over long distances.
distances with low current intensities and, therefore, with low losses due to the Joule effect
and other effects associated with the passage of current, such as hysteresis or eddy currents. A
Once at the point of consumption or in its vicinity, the voltage can be reduced again for use.
industrial or domestic and commercial in a comfortable and safe manner.