Engineers use potentiometers as precise, ratiometric position sensors. A wiper moves along a resistive track to produce a voltage that is proportional to its motion and referenced to a stable supply. When the controller reads the voltage ratiometrically, accuracy is maintained even with supply variations, and minor adjustments become noticeable.
Factors like track linearity, contact stability at low speeds, temperature behavior, and the mechanism’s ability to keep the wiper aligned properly distinguish potentiometer performance.
ETI Systems manufactures both rotary and linear potentiometers, offering various track options and mechanical fittings tailored for control applications. Conductive plastic allows for smooth operation and durability. Cermet is ideal for tight resistance bands, and wirewound types are designed to handle heat and heavy-duty applications.
We customize total resistance and taper to match your input impedance, guide excitation to ensure low wiper current, and provide repeatable acceptance checks. These checks include a baseline sweep, assessment of repeatability from both approach directions, and a selection of anchored setpoints for future audits.
Control relies on a distinct, ratiometric signal and a coordinated mechanism. Consistent readings facilitate minor adjustments, reduce tuning time, and improve record reliability.
Match the track to the job: wirewound for heat and heavy load, conductive plastic for smooth, low‑noise motion and long life, and Cermet for tight linearity and thermal stability. Balance resolution, expected temperature range, and duty cycle against your environment. With that map in place, the sensor delivers clean trims and dependable position checks in real equipment.
Accurate control needs small, repeatable steps on a truthful scale. Confirm total resistance and linearity across the usable angle or stroke, then measure noise while creeping the wiper. Keep the wiper current low, ground returns correctly, and read ratiometrically so the controller sees the change you command without flicker.
Mechanical fit protects signal integrity. Match shaft diameter and length, bushing thread, panel thickness, and bearing type to the mechanism, and confirm end‑stop angle and reference index. Check rotational torque and alignment so the wiper lands where the drawing expects and stays there over time.
Life is set by track material, contact force, and how the stroke is used. Estimate cycles from the real motion pattern, including dwell and reversals, and consider heat and contaminants at the site. Validate the pick with a bench endurance run that trends resistance and noise, then plan spares and calibration around the results.
Environmental factors determine the requirements for sensor performance. It’s essential to tailor the protection to the specific location and to verify that the sensor operates effectively in its deployed environment. This approach ensures that the system functions as intended, providing reliable and accurate results.
Select the IP rating to match cleaning pressure and exposure, then build the barrier. Use sealed shafts, O-rings, and rated cable glands with proper strain relief to block capillary ingress. Add a hydrophobic breather where needed to manage condensation. Verify with a directed spray test and post-test angle checks so readings stay stable after sanitation.
Define the ambient range and duty cycle, then confirm stability at the edges. Bearings and retainers keep alignment near rotating equipment while locking hardware maintains preload. Run hot and cold soaks and a vibration sweep, recording drift and stroke time before and after. Stable traces show the sensor will hold calibration across seasons and shifts.
Match elastomers and housings to site chemistry: FKM, EPDM, or PTFE for seals, and coated or anodized bodies for corrosion resistance. Use sealed enclosures and filtered breathers to keep fines away from contacts. A short exposure trial followed by a slow sweep confirms smooth response and steady scale.
Keep runs short and separate power from analog. Bond the body at a single point, use twisted pairs, and land shields at one end to avoid loops. During commissioning, inject a small disturbance and confirm the reading does not move, proving the signal reflects motion rather than noise.
See how the right potentiometers improve accuracy, setup time, and uptime in real equipment. Each snapshot ties a requirement to a tested pick and the checks that keep it repeatable.
Conductive plastic elements give smooth, low-noise feedback, so filtration valves make small, reliable trims during media changes. Read ratiometrically, confirm span after backwash, and protect entries so washdown does not shift scaling. With simple records, operators keep differential pressure and turbidity on target.
Wirewound tracks tolerate heat, shock, and sustained load while delivering a clear center and crisp end response. Proper grounding and ratiometric reads keep signals steady near engines and pumps. Field service stays fast when the center and span checks are defined.
Low‑noise linear elements support tight timing and repeatable placement at speed. Alignment and shielding protect the signal during quick accelerations, while a simple teach‑point check confirms the axis is holding position. Records make shift handoffs and troubleshooting straightforward.
Turn requirements into a clear choice that installs cleanly and reads true.
Set the travel you need and how the sensor will move across the track. Map the electrical angle or stroke to the mechanical limits so the reading matches the design.
Select wirewound, conductive plastic, or Cermet based on duty, noise level, and temperature. Size the total resistance and taper it to your circuit and scale.
Fit the shaft, bushing, and panel to your hardware. Choose bearings or bushings that match life and load.
Protect the sensor from the site and make tests easy.
ETI Systems is a U.S. manufacturer certified to ISO 9001:2015, specializing in rotary and linear potentiometers, industrial joysticks, and precision motion components. Our product range includes single-turn and multi-turn rotary devices, linear elements with guided or unguided rods, and various types of tracks such as wirewound, conductive plastic, and Cermet. We offer panel-mount and servo-mount formats, custom shafts, bushings, and tapers, along with dual-gang or redundant options. Additionally, we provide sealed variants for washdown applications and termination options, including connectors or flying leads.
To support our engineering efforts, we provide 2D/3D CAD files, wiring notes, selection guides, and RoHS/REACH documentation, along with clear product change notices. This ensures that installation and qualification processes are repeatable and efficient.
For dependable sensing elements, we carefully consider motion profiles, resolution and linearity targets, input impedance, and environmental conditions. We match these requirements with the appropriate track, resistance value, and mechanical fit. Units can be shipped with an acceptance pack, which includes a baseline sweep, approach-direction repeatability, step response at key setpoints, noise measurements at low speeds, and recorded scaling. This approach allows you to sign off at startup, perform quick rechecks after servicing, and maintain audit-ready records with stable readings.
Wirewound handles heat and is heavy-duty. Conductor plastic offers smooth, low-noise motion and long life, and Cermet gives stable performance in tight bands. Match the choice to your duty and accuracy needs.
They convert motion into a proportional signal. Low noise, stable resolution, and honest scaling keep small trims predictable, which reduces oscillation and shortens tuning.
Run a slow sweep across the working range and record readings at a few setpoints. Keep that trace as your baseline and repeat it after service to confirm stability.
Use sealed shafts, gaskets, and rated cable glands for washdown or dust, and choose materials that tolerate local media. A quick spray test and post-test reading confirm the barrier.
Pick a total resistance to suit the input impedance and noise. Choose linear or custom taper to match the way the mechanism moves and how the controller expects to see the change.
Ready to specify potentiometers for your project?
Share your range, environment, and circuit. We will help you select an ETI Systems model that reads true, installs cleanly, and holds calibration.