liukusäätimellä

Liukusäädin, often referred to as a potentiometer or slide potentiometer, is an electronic component that controls electrical resistance by means of a sliding contact. It consists of a resistive element, usually a strip of resistive material, and a slider that moves along this element. As the slider moves, the portion of the resistive element between the slider and one of the fixed terminals changes, thereby altering the resistance.

Liukusäätimet are commonly used as variable resistors or voltage dividers. In their role as variable resistors, one end of the resistive element and the slider form the two terminals, allowing for a continuously adjustable resistance within the component's range. As voltage dividers, all three terminals are utilized: the two fixed terminals are connected across a voltage source, and the slider acts as the output terminal, providing a voltage that varies linearly with the slider's position.

These components are found in a wide array of applications. In audio equipment, they are used for volume control, tone adjustment, and balancing. They are also prevalent in lighting dimmers, motor speed controllers, and various control interfaces in electronic devices. The physical design of liukusäätimet can vary, from small, PCB-mounted units to larger, panel-mounted faders used in professional audio consoles. Their ease of use and visual feedback make them a popular choice for manual control in many electronic systems.