P120PK-Y25BR10K

Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats

A P120PK-Y25BR10K is a type of rotary potentiometer or rheostat. They are both typically used for adjusting the input voltage in electronic circuits and for controlling the temperature in heating applications. The two are interchangeable, but they have different working principles.

Rotary Potentiometer

A rotary potentiometer, also known as a variable resistor, is a three-terminal device. It is usually a plastic disc or cylinder with a shaft or wiper that rotates. This potentiometer has three connections, which are the power terminal, a ground terminal, and the adjustable terminal. When the shaft is rotated, the resistance between the adjustable terminal and the ground terminal changes. This change in resistance is used to adjust the input voltage and for controlling the temperature in heating applications.

The P120PK-Y25BR10K is an example of a rotary potentiometer. It is a 120W continuous power unit, capable of functioning in temperatures ranging from −25 °C to +85 °C. It has a rotatable shaft of 6 mm with a sealed line of 25.4 mm. Its electrical characteristics are 885mΩ at 20℃, max. 1.5A, ± 20% - ± 30%, and max. 75mΩ initial contact resistance.

Rheostat

A rheostat is a two-terminal device with two adjustable connections - the power terminal and the adjustable terminal. Unlike a potentiometer, the changing of resistance between the two terminals depends on the change in position of the adjustable terminal. As the adjustable terminal is displaced, the resistance between the two terminals changes. In contrast to a potentiometer, a rheostat changes the voltage at the adjustable terminal, rather than at the ground terminal.

Rheostats are used to adjust input voltage in applications such as dimmer switches and motor control. They are also used to change the current flow in circuits, such as in car battery chargers. By changing the resistance between the power and adjustable terminals, the current flow is altered, providing more or less charge to the battery.

Conclusion

P120PK-Y25BR10K is a type of rotary potentiometer or rheostat. The two devices have different working principles, but are used for similar applications, such as adjusting the input voltage in electronic circuits and for controlling the temperature in heating applications. The P120PK-Y25BR10K has a rotatable shaft of 6 mm and a sealed line of 25.4 mm that operates at temperatures ranging from -25 °C to +85 °C. It has electrical characteristics of 885mΩ at 20℃, max. 1.5A, ± 20% - ± 30%, and max. 75mΩ initial contact resistance.