Very Basic Question!

[rockrobotics]

Hi,

I'm very new to electronics and to robots and I want to know
how you connect the three pins on a potentiometer!  I know this is really simple to you experts, but please explain it to me.  I don't get why it has three pins!  Please help.

Thanks,

Newbe

[chelmi]

Multiple posts...

What do you want to do with your potentiometer?
If you just need an adjustable resistor, use the middle pin and on of the other one (doesn't matter which one).
If you want to do a voltage divider to get an adjustable output voltage, connect it like that:

VCC -----+
         |
        | |
        | |<---- out
        | |
         |
GND -----+


Chelmi.

[rockrobotics]

Thanks,

That answered my question!

[Soeren]

Hi,

If you just need an adjustable resistor, use the middle pin and on of the other one (doesn't matter which one).

Better yet, connect the unused "side pin" to the middle pin. That way the resistance can never be more than the value used and cannot go open (in some circuits that would be disastrous).

Like this

Code: [Select]

    -----+
         |
        | |
        | |<--+ out
        | |   |
         |    |
    -----*----+


[rockrobotics]

Thanks alot!

Your very helpful!