DC Fundamentals Unit 11 – Potentiometers and Rheostats
Exercise 1 – The Rheostat.........................................................................................................
EXERCISE OBJECTIVE
When you have completed this exercise, you will be able to vary current by using a rheostat. You
will verify your results with a multimeter.
EXERCISE DISCUSSION
- A rheostat is a variable resistor connected in series with a load and is used to control the
current flow through the load. - A three-terminal potentiometer can be configured as a rheostat.
- The LINEAR/NONLINEAR VARIABLE RESISTOR circuit block consists of two variable
resistors (R2A and R2B). - R2A is a linear pot, while R2B is a log pot; both are at the maximum resistance setting when
the wiper is turned fully counter clockwise (CCW).