What do you call an adjustable resistor?

Question

Typically used to dim lights, etc.

Answer 1

As an experienced electrician, the answer you are looking for is "potentiometer", not to be confused with the similar "variable capacitor" often used in radio circuitry.

Ofcourse, a more simple way of saying it is "variable resistor", meaning that the amount that it resists the flow of electricity can be changed (variable: changeable; resistor: something that partly stops).

Other details:

A rheostat is actually a type of potentiometer, used to control larger quantities of voltage.

what you most likely are reffering to, as far as a specific type of potentiometer, if you're working with adjusting the volume of sound, is a fader, called a "sliding pot", or knob, called a "rotary potentiometer".

potentiometers work by changing the distance electricity has to travel through a piece of graphite.

does this help? is it worth calling best answer?

Answer 2

The device typically used to dim lights is called a dimmer.
The part that you actually turn is a potentiometer it is a variable resistor that varies the 'potential' on the 'Gates'of the triacs in the dimmer circuit. It still occurs that for very large amounts of lights to be dimmed that a Rheostat is used. The rheostat is a heavy duty (usually) variable resistor. The rheostat varies the current available to the lighting circuit; hense the size. Potentionmeter for voltage variation, Rheostat for current variation. The difference is really in how they are connected.

Answer 3

A resistor could be fastened or variable. it somewhat is basically the extensive type of instruments designed to bog down modern-day. A variable resistor is basically that...variable over somewhat a variety resistance. a fastened resistor will have not any dials or potential to selection the resistance. A variable one might have such potential, which tend to be a dial or a slide. The fastened resistor could be used to cut back what the circuit incorporates whilst the variable resistor is dialed right down to 0 ohms. So the fastened resistor could be a comfortable of secure practices from too lots modern-day and consequent short circuit (burn out). evaluate this: o------WW----w/w-------x the place WW = R is fastened and w/w = r is variable. there's a fastened voltage around the terminals o and x. So whilst the variable resistance r = 0, the present interior the direction of the circuit is I = V/(R + r) = V/(R + 0) = V/R. yet whilst the variable is cranked as much as, say r = R, the present is i = V/(R + r) = V/(R + R) = V/2R = I/2; it particularly is a million/2 what it became whilst r = 0. final analysis; the fastened resistor limits the max modern-day to a secure point and the variable resistor varies the present interior of those limits. i do no longer understand your "Do Resistors study the resistance or basically alter it". Resistors face up to, duh. They face up to the circulate of modern-day by using them and that's like ultimate or commencing a valve on a water pipe the place the circulate of water is somewhat like the circulate of electric powered modern-day.

Answer 4

Veristor, rheostat, potentiometer, variable resistor.

Answer 5

A rheostat.

Answer 6

It is a rheostat.

Answer 7

rheostat

Answer 8

Dimmer ?

Answer 9

that joke is lame.