designing with pots

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Not if the signal must be free of any such step events.

You should see what precision variable RF attenuators go for.

It all depends on the level of precision desired, and cost and application.

So your "best pot" declaration is no declaration at all.

=A0:)

Don't overlook "digital pots". They can give you the eeprom based setting without the micro.

Another thing is to try to redesign the system so that it works over the range of values in question. Adding parts cost to save labor is often worth it.

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Use more bits! All pots, but especially wirewounds, have finite resolution.

John

They're OK for not-so-demanding apps that don't need extreme precision or a lot of bandwidth. MDACs are better in those cases, or just doing some math in an FPGA or a uP.

A couple of people make IC digital capacitors, which can be handy, too.

Right. 0.1 or even 0.05% resistors can cost less than a pot, and can save test labor.

John

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Depends on the wiper configuration. They can be made to NOT have discreet steps.

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"> Hmm. we pay on an average of 78.. 180 bucks for a 10 turn pot"

Are these the same ones where you throw away the first 1/2 turn? (mentioned in a previous post.) We buy $8 Bourns 10 T pots that seem to work great right down to zero.

George H.

pot

Sounds like an encoder and a small uP or FPGA would be cheaper, more accurate, and more reliable.

John

Yes, we use the $8 B's also. Those are for general purpose etc..

The others we use, come in a variety of packages. Ball bearing shafts, lower drag with less slop in the drive. Also linearity, step size and low back lash are more preferable along with temperature distortion on the form.

Depending on what you're trying to do, it makes a difference.

For a hand control panel mount it does not make much difference other than long life cycles and stronger body for abuse operations. But for cases where they are connected to moving parts and used to align things to work in sync, you want them to keep their tolerance and resolution to be high.

You're an idiot if you pay that much for them.

Thank you for that brilliant insight.

John

Sorry, we pay for them. We don't steal them..

Sorry, you illiterate bastard, but what part of "You are an idiot if you pay THAT MUCH for them" do you not understand? If you are so thick that you cannot see what that remark suggests, then you DO deserve to get reamed EVERY TIME you buy an electrical or electronic component.

You stole a soul from God. Give it back, the hall of souls is hunting you. Stupidity as deep as yours needs to be re-spun. There is no way possible for you to be that stupid in your next life.