Passive Components Products:

Potentiometers, Trimmers & Rheostats

Trimmers, Potentiometers have been helping engineers fine-tune electronic designs for decades. Trimmers, Potentiometers are used to perform a variety of precision adjustments in all types of electronic equipment. Trimmers, Potentiometers are not just for analog applications – they are an important design tool in helping to adjust, regulate, and control circuit drift of digital elements. Trimmers can enhance an application's functionality by ensuring it is calibrated as precisely as possible. Using a trimmer to fine-tune a circuit's output is an ideal example of how analog technology is still needed in digital design. Trimmers and potentiometers are both variable resistors, which means their resistance can be adjusted manually. These components are commonly used in electronic circuits for various applications, including volume control, tuning, and calibration. While they share some similarities, they differ in terms of their design, construction, and typical use.

Trimmers:

1. Definition:

   • Trimmers, also known as trimmer resistors or preset resistors, are small, adjustable resistors designed for infrequent adjustments. They are often used during the manufacturing or calibration process and are then set and left in place.

2. Design:

   • Trimmers are typically compact and enclosed in a small package. They often have a screwdriver slot or a small knob for adjustment. Some trimmers are designed for surface-mount applications, while others have through-hole mounting.

3. Adjustment:

   • Trimmers are manually adjusted during the initial setup or calibration of electronic devices. Once the desired resistance is set, they are not intended for frequent adjustments.

4. Applications:

   • Trimmers are commonly used in applications where precise resistance adjustments are required, such as in calibration circuits, tuning circuits, or in applications where initial adjustment is necessary during manufacturing.

Potentiometers:

1. Definition:

   • Potentiometers, often referred to as pots, are variable resistors that can be adjusted by the end-user. They are commonly used for volume control, tone control, and other applications where variable resistance is needed.

2. Design:

   • Potentiometers are available in various sizes and designs. They consist of a resistive track and a movable wiper that slides along the track. The wiper's position determines the output voltage or resistance.

3. Adjustment:

   • Potentiometers are designed to be adjusted frequently by the end-user. They often have a knob that users can turn to change the resistance. The rotation of the knob adjusts the position of the wiper along the resistive track.

4. Applications:

   • Potentiometers are used in a wide range of applications where variable resistance is required, such as in audio equipment for volume and tone control, as well as in instrumentation, lighting controls, and other electronic devices.

Common Features:

1. Resistance Range:

   • Both trimmers and potentiometers come in a variety of resistance values to suit different circuit requirements.

2. Linear and Logarithmic Types:

   • Both types can be found in linear or logarithmic (audio taper) configurations, depending on the application.

3. Single-Turn and Multi-Turn:

   • Trimmers and potentiometers are available as single-turn or multi-turn devices. Multi-turn versions allow for more precise adjustments.

4. Material:

   • The resistive material in both trimmers and potentiometers is typically made of a conductive material, such as a resistive wire or a conductive polymer.

We offer a broad line of multiturn, single-turn and military-qualified potentiometers. Potentiometers, Trimmers, & Rheostats are available at IBS Electronics from industry leading manufacturers. IBS Electronics is an authorized distributor for many potentiometers, trimmers, & rheostats manufacturers.

IBS Electronics is an industry leader in distributing the most precise, stable and reliable high quality resistors. Our portfolio has a broad range of offerings, providing products in a variety of resistor configurations and packages to meet the needs of a wide range of applications.

IBS Electronics has developed partnerships with multiple manufactures in the industry becoming their franchised distributors. Some of these manufacturers include: Vitrohm, Walsin, HTR , RG ALLEN. These franchise lines enable us to provide our customers with crosses for manufacturers across the board at a lower price and shorter lead time while maintaining form, fit and functionality.

These items can be found at our IBS Store or by selecting one of the manufacturers below for Product Information and a Request for Quote.

• Vitrohm was first established in 1933 and became a part of the Yageo Group in 1996. Currently they have approximately 200 employees and have production sites in both China and Portugal. IBS Electronics is a franchised distributor for all of Vitrohm’s offerings including: Wire Wound Resistors, SMD Resistors, Low OHM Resistors, Meta Glaze Resistors and High power Wire Wound Resistors.
• Walsin Technology Corporation was founded in 1985. R&D, manufacture and sale of ceramic electronic components for the electronic and electrical engineering industries. IBS Electronics carries a wide range of their product offerings including: Carbon Composition Resistors, Ceramic Composition Resistors, Current Sense Resistors (SMD) and Thick Film Resistors (SMD).
• Since inception in 1988, Hi Tech Resistors Pvt Ltd, popularly known as HTR in the electronics industry worldwide, has grown to become one of the leading resistor manufacturer in the world. HTR’s state of the art manufacturing facility at Nagpur in India produces over a hundred thousand wire wound and low ohm current sense resistors everyday in a wide variety of mounting and housing configurations. IBS Electronics is a worldwide distributor of HTR’S product offerings including: Wire Wound Resistors, Current Sense Resistors, Surface Mount Resistors, Automotive Applications and Custom Products.
• RG ALLEN is part of IBS Electronics Group therefore we have direct access to their stock and close relationships with their engineers for custom products. RG ALLEN’s line offers Wire Wound Resistors, Current Sense Resistors, Surface Mount Resistors, Automotive Applications and Custom Products.

In addition to our franchise lines we actively stock and order parts from the following manufacturers: