Potentiometer for threshold detectors - has linear resistance wire tensioned against arcuate support with cursor contact held by wire against support

摘要

The potentiometer for use with e.g. threshold detector inputs comprises an arcuate insulating support along the radially outer surface of which a linear high resistance wire is stretched. The wire is soldered at one end to one terminal and passes over another terminal to be tensioned by a coil spring at its other end. A fixed voltage is applied across the terminals. The voltage is tapped by several plastics cursors mounted for sliding along the support surface. The wire passes over a terminal spigot on each cursor, the spigot holding the wire typically only 0.5 cms above the surface at the cursor location. The potentiometer reduces the non-linearity at the relationship between the tapped voltage and the terminal voltages.