RS PRO 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount

Brought to you by RS PRO, a series of rotary potentiometers suitable for various applications. Widely used within electronics, each model can be mounted within various devices or even on PCB applications. These particular models generally have a rotational life of 100,000 revolutions and will excel within audio or electronic uses. All models are highly reliable and excellent quality.

• Robust construction
• 25 mm shaft
• 1 W power rating
• Single turn
• 285° rotation (mechanical angle)

A potentiometer is a variable resistor which increases or decreases the resistance in an application. Usually available as either digital or analogue, there are two main types of potentiometers, rotary and linear.

• Linear - comes in a rectangle strip shape and can be pulled up or down for the required resistance, Used a lot within sound systems for mic output or volume control.
• Rotary - the shaft is housed by a knob, you would find these on dimmer switches or speakers, turning (usually to the right) will increase the resistance amplifying the output, whether that is light, sound or voltage.

Used in various applications, potentiometers operate as a resistor for electronic devices. As an example, a dimmer switch you would find in place of a light switch would house a potentiometer. Whichever direction it is turned, either increases or decreases the resistance, manipulating the light output from the bulb. Another common use would be speaker or sound systems, operating as a volume switch. There are various types of element material, usually as rotary or linear, such as:

• Wire-wound
• Conductive
• Plastic
• Carbon
• Cermet