trimripotentiometrejä

Trimripotentiometri, often shortened to trimmer or trimpot, is a type of variable resistor designed for infrequent manual adjustment. Unlike potentiometers used for everyday control, trimpots are typically mounted on printed circuit boards and are intended to be set during calibration or tuning of an electronic circuit. Their small size and low cost make them suitable for a wide range of applications where precise and frequent adjustments are not required.

Trimpots operate on the same principle as other potentiometers, utilizing a resistive element and a movable contact. The resistive element is usually a carbon composite, cermet, or wirewound material. The movable contact, known as the wiper, slides along the resistive element, changing the resistance between the terminals. They typically have three terminals: two connected to the ends of the resistive element, and one connected to the wiper. By adjusting the position of the wiper, the resistance between the wiper terminal and each of the end terminals can be varied.

The primary advantage of trimpots is their ability to fine-tune circuit parameters. They are used to compensate for component tolerances, adjust bias points, set gain levels, or calibrate sensors. Common applications include audio equipment for initial setup, power supplies for voltage regulation, and various measurement instruments. Due to their infrequent adjustment nature, they are generally not designed for high power handling or continuous use as a control. Their sensitivity to dust and mechanical wear means they are best suited for protected environments.