A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. It is used to measure electrical resistance or to control the flow of current in a circuit. Potentiometers are commonly used in audio applications to control volume, in power supplies to adjust voltage, and in electronic circuits to set bias levels or to provide feedback.
The resistance of a potentiometer is measured in ohms. The total resistance of the potentiometer is the sum of the resistances of the two fixed resistors. The resistance between the sliding contact and one of the fixed terminals is the adjustable resistance. The adjustable resistance can be varied from zero to the total resistance of the potentiometer.
