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Potentiometer Frequently Asked Questions


Questions about ordering
Can I purchase purchase components parts and assemble my own custom potentiometers?

I have a Mod-Pot part number and can't find the specifications in your literature.

How can I determine the Resistance Taper of a Potentiometer?

I need a specification drawing for a custom potentiometer.

Do you have distributors for your products in other countries?

What is a Setup Charge?

What is a Low-Volume Charge?

How can I determine the specifications for one of your custom potentiometers?

I don’t have a company, do you sell to individuals?

What is your minimum order requirement?


Potentiometer Questions General
What is the country of origin for your Mod-Pot products?

Do you sell replacement potentiometers for old stereo equipment or other consumer electronic products?

I have a potentiometer with four terminals instead of three.

What are the differences between Carbon, Cermet and Conductive Plastic pots?

Environmental - IP rating?

Are Mil-Spec Potentiometers Better Than Commercial Potentiometers?


Potentiometer Questions - Electrical
What are Potentiometer Input and Output Voltage?

General Electrical Characteristics?

Mechanical Characterisics?

Resistance Terms?

Conformity and Linearity Terms?


Potentiometer Questions - Mechanical
How are shaft and bushing lengths specified?

Stop Strength?

Rotation and Translation Terms?

Noise
Any spurious variation in the electrical output not present in the input. Noise is defined in terms of an equivalent parasitic, transient resistance in ohms, appearing between the contact and the resistance element when the shaft is rotated.

The Equivalent Noise Resistance is defined independently of the resolution, the functional characteristics, and the total travel.

The magnitude of the Equivalent Noise Resistance is the maximum departure from a specified reference line. Noise is measured with the wiper excited by a specified current and moved at a specified speed.

Output Smoothness (Nonwirewound Potentiometers Only)
Output Smoothness is a measurement of any spurious variation in the electrical output not present in the input.

It is expressed as a percentage of the Total Applied Voltage and measured for specified travel increments over the Theoretical Electrical Travel.

Output Smoothness includes effects of contact resistance variations, resolution, and other micrononlinearities in the output.

Resolution
A measure of the sensitivity to which the Output Ratio of the potentiometer may be set.

Dielectric Strength
Ability to withstand under prescribed conditions, a specified potential between the terminals and the exposed conducting surfaces of the potentiometer, without exceeding a specified leakage current value.

Insulation Resistance
The resistance to a DC voltage between the terminals cup and the exposed conducting surfaces of the potentiometer, under prescribed conditions.

Power Rating
The maximum power that a potentiometer can dissipate under specified conditions while meeting specified performance requirements.

Power Derating
The decrease of the nominal power rating, usually for temperature changes.

Life
The number of shaft revolutions obtainable under specific operating conditions.