explain a rheostat in a circuit and how it works
2007-03-18 10:56:50 · 9 answers · asked by shanelle c 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
a rheostat is a variable resistor. the more that it is opened the more current flows an example is a fan switch that has a high, medium and low. at high the rheostat is fully open and ant low it is mostly closed
2007-03-18 11:02:19 · answer #1 · answered by runingjoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rheostat Working
2016-12-18 12:49:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a two terminal variable resistor in which one end of a resistive element is connected to a circuit and a tap that moves across the resistive element is attached to another point in the circuit. The result is that some fraction of the full resistance appears in series with a circuit. That lets you choose the fraction of an applied voltage that goes down a path in the circuit. Rheostats are older technology usually used in more brute force circuits where power is handled.
It is different from a potentiometer which is a three terminal device usually used as a voltage divider. Both ends of the resistive element appear across a voltage in a circuit and a tap that moves across the resistive element chooses the fraction of the voltage that is fed to another point in the circuit. That is the one that is used for radio volume controls or for adjustments in instrumentation. Power handling is not an issue since those circuits usually take very little power.
2007-03-18 15:43:14 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If any of your light switches have a dimmer switch, that is a rheostat. Basically, power flows through a tightly wound coil of wire. A contact rubs the wire to transfer the power to the appliance. The more coils the power must pass through creates resistance (measured as ohms) which causes a voltage drop: more coils=less voltage~~fewer coils to pass through=more volts can flow due to less resistance. If you ever had a slot car track or an electric train, the controllers are a rheostat.
2007-03-18 11:10:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rheostat is a variable resistor.
Common types are a wound coil of a resistive wire, with a slider running along the top of the coil. You can connect the circuit to it by two means. One passes through all of the coil, using its full resistance and in effect using it as a fixed resistor.
The second method involves use of the slider. The more you slide the slider out along the length of the coil, the more of te resistance is employed in the circuit.
The link below shows how to make one for yourself.
2007-03-18 11:03:46 · answer #5 · answered by dudara 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rheostat is an adjustable resistor, much like a volume control on a radio, or tv set.
2007-03-18 11:00:31 · answer #6 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A rheostat is a wire-wound resister around a hollow tube with three terminal.
A fixed voltage is usually applied between the two fixed terminals. The output is taken from a fixed terminal
2015-03-24 07:50:57 · answer #7 · answered by victor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its an adjustable resister
You may find them used for volume control .
One use you can relate to. Toy trains . The dial you turn to speed up the Locomotive.
Motor speed control , like you said on a circuit board , regulating the current or voltage flow.
2007-03-18 11:08:16 · answer #8 · answered by grainy33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is variable resistance.
2014-10-07 17:46:23 · answer #9 · answered by roshni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋