ST42EC103

Trimmer Potentiometers: ST42EC103 Application Field and Working Principle

The ST42EC103 is a trimmer potentiometer developed by the electronics manufacturing company ST Electronics. It is a low-cost, versatile and reliable potentiometer, ideal for application in various types of circuit boards, with precise linearity and low sensitivity to vibration.

The trimmer potentiometers of ST42EC103 can be used for various different applications. The main use is for adjusting the gain of electronic devices such as audio amplifiers or receivers. The device is also used as an adjustable frequency generator, or as a voltage reference in voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO).

Additionally, this potentiometer finds its use in automotive electronics and communication equipment. Furthermore, it can also be used as a background meter in TV sets and video recorders, monitor displays, medical equipment, telephones, and data storage devices. Moreover, the ST42EC103 can also be used in correction circuits, where it is used to adjust the output gain of the circuit.

The ST42EC103 trimmer potentiometer is a 3 terminal device which consists of an adjustable resistor, commonly known as the wiper. The wiper operates on a track or a resistive element and is adjustable through turning a shaft. The shaft is connected to the wiper via a plastic screw and the adjustment of the wiper can be made manually or via an automatic motor. The amount of adjusting capability depends on the type of potentiometer used. Most of the ST42EC103s have a standard range of 10%, which is usually adjustable via a small knob.

The working principle of the ST42EC103 is relatively simple. The resistor element of the potentiometer is divided into two parts, one part is known as the variable track and the other part is the fixed track. The wiper is adjusted manually by the operator to set the value of the resistance between the two tracks, resulting in the desired output voltage. The voltage output is proportional to the adjustment of the wiper and results in a smooth and linear transfer function.

In conclusion, the ST42EC103 trimmer potentiometer is a versatile and reliable device suitable for multiple applications. Its linearity and low sensitivity to vibration makes it ideal for using in a variety of circuit boards, such as automotive electronics, medical equipment, communication equipment, and data storage devices. Its working principle is based on adjusting the wiper on a resistive element to set the value of the resistance, resulting in smooth and linear voltage output.