Glossary of Terms
Lateral runout
The perpendicularity of the mounting surface with
respect to the rotational axis of the shaft measured
on the mounting surface at a speci?ed distance
from the outside edge of the mounting surface. The
shaft is held ?xed and the body of the
potentiometer is rotated with speci?ed loads
applied radial and axial to the body of the pot.
The lateral runout is expressed in inches, TIR.
Load
The ability of a component to dissipate rated
power for a speci?ed length of time under speci?c
operating conditions while remaining within
Output voltage
The voltage between the wiper and the designated
reference point. Unless otherwise speci?ed, the
designated reference point is the CCW terminal.
Potentiometer
A variable resistive device used in applications,
which typically require frequent or even constant
adjustment.
Phase
The relationship between channel A and channel
B; the rising edge on channel A to rising edge on
channel B measured in electrical degrees (°e).
allowable speci?cations.
Phase reference point
Mechanical angle
The total travel of the shaft between integral stops;
in potentiometers without stops, the mechanical
travel is continuous.
Minimum resistance
The resistance measured between the wiper
terminal and any other terminal with the shaft
positioned to give the minimum value.
Noise
Any spurious variation in the electrical output not
The reference point on a potentiometer cup,
usually an output ratio or an intermediate tap.
The reference point is used to align the cups in a
multi-cup potentiometer.
Pilot diameter runout
The eccentricity of the pilot diameter with respect
to the rotational axis of the shaft, measured on the
pilot diameter. The shaft is held ?xed and the
body of the potentiometer is rotated with a
speci?ed load applied radial to the body of the pot.
The eccentricity is expressed in inches, TIR.
present in the input.
Power rating
Non-wirewound
A resistive element made by screening a ?lm of
conductive plastic, cermet or carbon inks on a
substrate, which may be fabricated from ceramic,
phenolic or other type of insulator material.
The maximum power that a component can
dissipate under speci?ed conditions while meeting
speci?ed performance requirements.
PPR Pulses per Revolution
(see Resolution)
Output ratio
The ratio of the output voltage to the designated
input reference voltage. Unless otherwise speci?ed,
the reference voltage is the total applied voltage.
Quadrature
The square wave output code generated by an
incremental encoder. Normally, two output
channels out of phase by 90°e.
Output smoothness
A measurement of any instantaneous variation in
the electrical output not present in the input.
69