This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Trimmer Potentiometers category on DigiKey.com
Trimmer potentiometers allow for precise manual adjustment of an in-circuit resistance value. Also known as trimpots, they are available in bottom, side or top adjustment and may allow for single or multiple turns of actuation. They range in value from 10 Ω to 5 MΩ of resistance and 5% to 30% of value tolerance in surface mount, through-hole, chassis mount, and panel mount configurations.
SelectionCharacteristics
Resistance: Characterizes the nominal resistance of a current path through a device.
Power (Watts): Identifies the amount of heat that can be continuously dissipated by the resistive element without damaging the device. Measured in Watts (W) and typically based on the size of the device.
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: "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.
Number of Turns: Indicates the number of actuator rotations required to move a device through its full range of travel.
Adjustment Type: Defines what orientation the adjuster is placed at.
Resistive Material: Indicates the material of which a device’s resistive element is constructed. Has general influence over traits such as rotational life, noise characteristics, power dissipation capability, and cost.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as PC pins or wire leads.
Size/Dimension: Indicates the shape and relevant dimensions of the device.
ProductExamples
MFR PART # | CT-6EP103 |
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DIGIKEY PART # | 563-CT-6EP103-ND |
MANUFACTURER | Nidec Components Corporation |
DESCRIPTION | TRIMMER 10K OHM 0.5W PC PIN TOP |
DATASHEET | Click Here |
MFR PART # | 22AR1KLFTR |
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DIGIKEY PART # | 987-1005-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
MANUFACTURER | TT Electronics/BI |
DESCRIPTION | TRIMMER 1K OHM 0.125W J LEAD TOP |
DATASHEET | Click Here |
MFR PART # | 3299X-1-102LF |
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DIGIKEY PART # | 3299X-102LF-ND |
MANUFACTURER | Bourns Inc. |
DESCRIPTION | TRIMMER 1K OHM 0.5W PC PIN SIDE |
DATASHEET | Click Here |
SchematicSymbol
Schematic symbol courtesy of Scheme-it. Please see their website for more information and symbols.
MediaLinks
TechForum
Bourns Trimpot® Trimming Potentiometers
Overview of Potentiometers and Their Practical Applications