Potentiometer Rotation and Translation Terms

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?

Total Mechanical Travel
The total travel of the shaft between stops. In potentiometers without stops, the mechanical travel is continuous.

Backlash
The maximum difference in shaft position that occurs when the shaft is moved to the same actual point from opposite directions.

Electrical Travel
The shaft travel between minimum and maximum output voltage (minimum and maximum resistance). Electrical travel is equal to mechanical travel when there are mechanical stops incorporated into the potentiometer. Due to physical limitations, electrical travel is always less than 360 degrees.

Effective Electrical Travel
The total travel of the shaft over which electrical continuity is maintained between the wiper and the resistance element. The effective electrical travel is always less than the electrical travel as well as the mechanical travel.

Tap Location
The position of a tap, commonly expressed as a shaft position. For example, a center-tap would be located at the mid-point of the shaft rotation and assuming the resistance curve to be linear, correspond to 50% of the total resistance.