Thomas Edison, the electrical genius, patented the first carbon track electric potentiometer in 1872. Today, these small electrical components maintain an industry within themselves, filling the needs for commercial and industrial applications, research, transportation vehicles and a host of electronic devices.

Every time someone turns the volume up on the radio or adjusts the brightness on the television screen, they’re enjoying one of the benefits of the potentiometer. When looking for a potentiometer for sale, consider the following.

1. Work with electric potentiometer manufacturers for special designs or pre-made parts.

2. Order industrial potentiometers for demanding applications utilized in production.

3. Find companies selling digital, linear and ohm potentiometers for multi-applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy direct from electric potentiometer manufacturers

These companies carry nice inventories and quality parts and offer solutions for any specific electric potentiometer.

I recommend: Contact Maurey Instrument Corp. to order linear motion, rotary or motorized potentiometers; click “Products” to select categories with specifications. Fill in the form to order by model and quantity or click “Products” that include single- and multi-turn, motorized and linear motion potentiometers at P3 America, Inc. Go to Spectrum Sensors & Controls, Inc., and fill out the quotation request form; click “Precision Position Sensors & Transducers” for product selection.

Use electric potentiometer suppliers for in-stock supplies

These suppliers offer quick turnaround for orders and provide parts for various applications.

I recommend: See Action Electronic Wholesale Co. for trimmer potentiometers with multi-turn switches and PB board mount trimmer pots, with prices and online ordering. Choose single or dual potentiometers from TOCOS America, Inc.; click “Sales Locations” for nearest sales representative or “Contact Us” for online form.

Locate an industrial electronic potentiometer company for precision control

Applications for these items include heavy equipment, testing and research, robotics and farm industry.

I recommend: Check-off the electrical potentiometers you’re interested in on the form at Carter Manufacturing Corp.; click “Products” for specifications. Find commercial and industrial grade electric potentiometers that include single- and multi-turn rotary, linear and rocker pot at Precision Sales, Inc.; click an electric potentiometer for details and call to order.

Choose a digital potentiometer for its advantage over mechanical

Digital potentiometers, also named digipot, RDAC and POT, maintain good stability with higher resolutions and control.

I recommend: Analog Device, Inc. carries a nice lineup of volatile, non-volatile and one time programmable memory parts with prices/1,000; click “Buy Online” to process order. Select required digital potentiometer parts under log taper, linear taper, fiber monitoring and control or programmable precision voltage dividers for specs and prices at Maxim Integrated Products, Inc; click “Buy” for online or phone order.

Order linear electric potentiometers for linear feedback

Choose waterproof or regular liner potentiometers with rectangular or cylindrical shapes, wire-wound or in conductive plastic. Applications include robotics, medical, marine and automobile industries.

I recommend: Select a model for specifications and click “Request for Quotation” at State-Electronics, Inc. See the linear pots at Celesco Transducer Products, Inc.; click “Orders” to buy direct from the company.

Get your required size ohm potentiometer at these companies

Receive discounts on 10 or more potentiometers on all orders. Products include trimmers, carbon, linear, single, switch and ceramic.

I recommend: Go to Parts Express for a linear taper ½ watt, 1K ohm potentiometer with discounts on 10 or more. Buy a 1K to 100K ohm potentiometer at West Florida Components.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Rotary electric potentiometers typically come with a 270-degree rotation, though some have 200. You'll need to contact a manufacturer for other parameters and custom solutions.