This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Digital Potentiometers category on DigiKey.com
Digital potentiometers are a family of integrated circuit devices which provide an adjustable resistance similar to a traditional mechanical potentiometer or rheostat, but which are controlled by means of electronic signals rather than a mechanical input. Though relatively limited in the amount of electrical power that can be dissipated in their resistance, their ability to be electronically controlled facilitates miniaturization, automation, and remote control of signal-level analog circuits where mechanical potentiometers may have otherwise been used.
SelectionCharacteristics
DigiKey Programmable: For verified products, DigiKey can program/flash your compiled code or configuration variables prior to shipping. For unverified products, please inquire with ProgCent.Techs@digikey.com
Taper: Characterizes the relationship between device resistance and knob position (or digital input code, for digital potentiometer devices).
Configuration: Indicates the internal function/type of circuit in the device.
Number of Circuits: Indicates the number of internal devices that are in the body item.
Number of Taps: The number of discrete potentiometer settings available; the resolution of the device.
Resistance (Ohms): Characterizes the nominal resistance of a current path through a device. Indicates the span of resistances the device can produce.
Interface: Indication of which interface(s) or protocol(s) are used by the device to communicate with other components in the system.
Memory Type: Indicates how the memory is maintained in the device and how many times it can be programmed.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as mute or zero-cross sense.
Tolerance: Characterizes the extent of permitted variability of overall device resistance among samples of a given part number, resulting from variations in manufacturing.
Temperature Coefficient (Typ): The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is a constant representing the resistance change per degree Celsius of temperature change over a specific temperature range and expressed in ppm/°C (parts per million per degree centigrade). For more information see Temperature Coefficient and PPM Explanation.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the supplier device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and/or other system components.
Resistance - Wiper (Ohms) (Typ): Typical series resistance associated with the wiper terminal of the device.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | MCP4018T-103E/LT |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | MCP4018T-103E/LTTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Microchip Technology |
| DESCRIPTION | Digital Potentiometer 10k Ohm 1 Circuit 128 Taps I²C Interface SC-70-6 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MCP41010T-I/SN |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | MCP41010T-I/SNTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Microchip Technology |
| DESCRIPTION | Digital Potentiometer 10k Ohm 1 Circuit 256 Taps SPI Interface 8-SOIC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | AD5246BKSZ10-RL7 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 505-AD5246BKSZ10-RL7TR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Analog Devices Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Digital Potentiometer 10k Ohm 1 Circuit 128 Taps I²C Interface SC-70-6 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
Arduino Input/Output
AD512x / 4x Series of Digital Non-Volatile digiPOTs
Articles
Digital Potentiometer Fundamentals
Potentiometers – The Complete Guide
The Basics of Panel-Mount Rotary Encoders
Blogs
Input Control for Everyday Projects: Rotary Encoders and Potentiometers
What Is Pulse Width Modulation and How It Is Used?
Servomotor Control with Limits and Variable Speed
TechForum
Digital Potentiometer AD5160 Pmod Controller (VHDL)
Logic Design Home: Table of Contents
SPI Master (VHDL)