Potentiometers, Trimmers & Rheostats
A potentiometer, trimmer, and rheostat are all three types of resistors that are adjustable. They are used to control the electric current by varying the resistance in the circuit.
A potentiometer is an adjustable three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact (wiper) that moves across a resistive element to change resistance in a circuit. They are used in audio controls, light dimmers, and other applications that require adjustable resistance in the circuit.
A trimmer is a miniature version of a potentiometer, and it’s used to make fine adjustments in electronics circuits. It can be used for voltage and current adjustments, and for tuning circuits for maximum performance.
A rheostat is an adjustable two-terminal rotor, and it’s used to control the current in a circuit. It’s often used to control the speed of a motor or other electrical device.