Electronic Symbols - Potentiometer

What is a Potentiometer?

A potentiometer is a variable resistor that uses a wiper to sweep from one end of the resistive element to the other, changing the resistance to be proportional to the wiper’s position.

What is the Purpose of a Potentiometer?

A potentiometer functions as a voltage divider, adjusting the voltage output to a circuit and accurately measuring electric potential.

What is the Symbol for Potentiometer?

The electrical symbol for potentiometer is a graphical representation of the component, providing engineers a quick and clear reference for its position in the circuit without having to conduct a physical examination.

What Does the Potentiometer Electrical Symbol Look Like?

The appearance of the schematic symbol for potentiometer varies by region. The American standard depicts the resistor component as a zig-zag, while the European standard portrays it as a rectangular box.

In both America and Europe, the potentiometer electrical symbol uses a resistor symbol with an arrow pointing downwards at the resistive path, indicating a variable resistor.

Make Drawing Potentiometer Symbols Easier With Capital X Panel Designer!

Adding a potentiometer circuit symbol to your drawing is made easier with Capital X Panel Designer! This electrical CAD software comes with a library of pre-made potentiometer electrical symbols that you can simply drag and drop into your schematic layout, significantly boosting your production speed.

Learn more about how to create custom electrical symbols.