Hello, friends, I hope you all are doing great. In today’s tutorial, we will discuss the Difference Between Potentiometer and Rheostat. The basic difference between a rheostat and a potentiometer is that a potentiometer is used to find the value unknown electromotive force that regulates the voltage of a circuit. While rheostat is a device that regulates the movement of current in the circuitry.
The potentiometer finds the value of not known voltage in the circuit by comparison with the known value of the voltage that is applied voltage to the circuit. But rheostats regulate the movement of current in the circuit by changing the resistance. In today’s post, we will have a detailed look at both potentiometer and rheostat and find their differences. So let’s get started with the Difference Between a Potentiometer and Rheostat.
Difference Between Potentiometer and Rheostat
What is Potentiometer
- It is a sensor that used to find the value of voltage in the circuit.
- It has three terminals.
- It is resistance having 3 pinouts with rotating points that change the value resistance when employed in circuitry.
- Due to resistance change, it operates as a voltage divider.
- It regulates the voltage of the circuit.
- It operates like a rheostat when its two terminals are used in circuitry.
- The sensitivity of this device is larger than the voltmeter.
- It does not have a pointing needle like the voltmeter.
- Its working operation is like the position transducer same operation like to the joystick
- It is not used to regulate the power because it loses more power than another device
- Its simple structure consists of a resistance component sliding connection called a wiper.
- Its resistive part is created with carbon, graphite plastic
- Its named pots
- It measures the voltage value and works as a voltage divider.
- The tape recorder uses this module to control the voice.
- The brightness of tv is regulated through this device
- It provides the exact measured value.
- The resistance value offered by this instrument is infinity.
- It mostly used in fewer power applications.
- it consists of graphite material.
- It is connected in parallel combination with the circuit.
- The potentiometer can also be used as a rheostat.
What is Rheostat
- A rheostat is like a variable resistance.
- It has two terminals.
- This device helps to sustain the value of current in a certain level.
- These instruments help to change the resistance of circuitry giving any hindrance to the circuitry.
- Its structure is like the potentiometer.
- It can control a larger current than the potentiometer.
- Their structure is wounded wire
- Its linear type is used in different wound-insulating cylinder configurations.
- It works as a power control device like in the dimmer of the fan, or heater speed control.
- With time, its use for power control has been limited now control circuits are being used.
- It has main 7 types of rotary types that are very common to use.
- It used to control power rating and adjustment in the power control
- It is used to control the current of the circuit by varying resistance.
- It is used in large power applications.
- It is constructed with materials such as metallic ribbon, and carbon disks.
- It is connected in a series combination of a circuit.
Rheostat vs Potentiometer
Potentiometer
- It works as an electrical device for measuring voltage values accurately.
- It is made with use of a mixture of components such as resistance materials and graphite wires..
Rheostat:
- It is used for changing the resistance of the circuit connected.
- It is made with use of an amalgam of carbon ribbons and metallic films,
What is the advantage of a potentiometer over a rheostat?
- The basic difference is several terminals, potentiometer comes with 3 pins, and resonates has 2 pins. A potentiometer can used as a rheostat with one terminal leaving open
Which of the following describes the difference between a potentiometer and rheostat?
- Both are used as variable resistors, with the difference that the potentiometer controls voltage or potential and the rheostat for controlling current. A rheostat is a type of high-power potentiometer.
Is a dimmer switch a rheostat or potentiometer?
- A common example of the rheostat is a variable resistor in dimmers. Fan dimmers and light dimmers use rheostat for controlling changes of speed and light intensity.It is also used for controlling light intensity
What are two disadvantages of potentiometers?
- it is difficult to use and the cross-sectional area of its wire is needed to be uniform, and it is not easy to get. During the experiment temperature of the potentiometer must be constant.
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That all about the difference between a potentiometer and rheostat. If you have any query ask in the comments. Thanks for reading. Have a good day.