Variable Resistors

17 of 24

POTENTIOMETER OPERATION
Remember a potentiometer has three legs, the reference (R), the signal (S) , and the ground (G) as shown below. 5 volts is supplied to the reference, current flows from the reference (R) through the entire resistor to ground (G). The Signal wiper slides across the resistor changing measure voltage as it moves. As the wiper moves towards the reference (R), the measured signal voltage at (S) will increase. As the wiper moves away from the Reference (R) towards ground (G), the measured signal voltage drops.