potentiometer question - Printable Version

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potentiometer question - Eric Adams - 02-16-2013

Can anyone tell me the difference between a linear taper, logarithmic taper and audio taper pot?

Thanks,
Eric

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RE: potentiometer question - Conelrad - 02-16-2013

Pots came in all sorts of tapers.

A linear pot will change the same amount of resistance per degree of rotation throughout it's range. These are mostly found in DC control circuits for metering, voltage regulation, eTc.

A log pot will change at log 10 or 20 per degree of rotation, depending on the engineering call-out.

An audio taper is usually some type of log pot, but the taper may be 'adjusted' for evenness in rotation to our human ears, so everything doesn't bunch up at the end (like a linear would on audio) and make adjustment difficult. A lot of audio pots used in tone control circuits are tapped so as to achieve a good 'loudness' feel.

Dennis

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RE: potentiometer question - Eric Adams - 02-17-2013

Wow, great information. One more question: which one would be best for the verticle control on a scope?

Thanks,
Eric

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RE: potentiometer question - Conelrad - 02-17-2013

Linear.

Dennis

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RE: potentiometer question - Eric Adams - 02-17-2013

Thanks Dennis

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