Thread: Difference b/w rheostat and potentiometer

Is there any difference between rheostats and potentiometers..? ,
on there purpose or construction or something else..
If so what is that..? If anyone knows please answer

thx in advance.. :D

A rheostat is essentially a potentiometer, but is usually much larger, designed to handle much higher voltage and current.

Quoted from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiometer

Regards,
IanP

sreejith,
A rheostat is a 2 terminal device. One terminal is connected to one end of the resistance element. The other terminal is connected to the wiper. A potentiometer is a 3 terminal device. Two terminals are connected to the ends of the resistance element. The third terminal is connected to the wiper. You can use a potentiometer as a rheostat simply by not using one of the terminals that are coneected to the end of the resistance element.
regards,
Kral

hello...

i think kral is telling in different way...
actually both are same.but Potentiometers used to control high power are normally called rheostats.where as for small powers we will use potentiometer .
genrally potentiometers are used in electronica applications where as rheostat for electrical.

rheostat and potentiometer, they can be 2-pin or 3-pin, even higher pin, can act the same functions in the circuit.

However, as rheostat is made by resistance wire (wirewound) and its central point may be turned around (in the circular shape), slipped back and forth (in the tube shape), and potentiometer is made by compound materials and in most case its shape is circular and its central point is only turned arround.

As being made of resistance wire, rheostat can dissipate higher power, and working with the higher voltage/current than potentiometer.

I will find out the book I learnt this and let you know later.

nguyennam

thx to all for replying to this topic..

but i am slightly confused..
nguyennam, can u give me the text's name?

Have you heard of potetiometer experiment normally doing in physics labs? There we are using a big potentiometer, which i think can be used in highpower applications also. Why it is known as potentiometer?

Sorry you sreejith for keeping you waited a long time.

Please refer to pages 105 for potentiometer, 109 for rheostat, book "Teach yourself electricity and electronics", McGraw Hill. Many books define the same, but I just give you the name of the book from McGraw Hill, one of the most famous publisher, especially in practical action.

Between potentiometer and rheostat, there is a mixed using in daily using or in the different literatures, so just make clear the definitions, and understand what people are talking about.

Goodluck
nguyennam