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Displacement Sensors Potentiometer

Potentiometers can be used to measure linear or rotational displacement. A potentiometer consists of a resistive element with a movable contact. Applying a voltage across the resistive element results in an output voltage at the contact that is proportional to the displacement. Potentiometers are inexpensive position sensors that can be configured as either adjustable resistors or voltage dividers to relate the output voltage to displacement. Examples demonstrate calculating displacement from changes in output voltage and determining the output voltage and scaling factor of a potentiometer circuit.

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1K views8 pages

Displacement Sensors Potentiometer

Potentiometers can be used to measure linear or rotational displacement. A potentiometer consists of a resistive element with a movable contact. Applying a voltage across the resistive element results in an output voltage at the contact that is proportional to the displacement. Potentiometers are inexpensive position sensors that can be configured as either adjustable resistors or voltage dividers to relate the output voltage to displacement. Examples demonstrate calculating displacement from changes in output voltage and determining the output voltage and scaling factor of a potentiometer circuit.

Uploaded by

asprilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Displacement Sensors

Potentiometer

by
Dr. Sotiris Omirou

AMEM 211

Potentiometer

 A resistance with a movable contact (a potentiometer)


potentiometer)
may be used to measure linear or rotational
displacements

1
Potentiometer
 A known voltage is applied to the resistor ends. The
contact is attached to the moving object of interest
 The output voltage at the contact is proportional to the
displacement

 Potentiometers

 resistive potentiometers are one of the most widely


used forms of position sensor

 can be angular or linear

 consists of a length of resistive material with a sliding


contact onto the resistive track

 when used as a position transducer a potential is


placed across the two end terminals, the voltage on
the sliding contact is then proportional to its position

 an inexpensive and easy to use sensor

2
CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES OF POTENTIOMETERS

Linear
Rotary

POTENTIOMETERS TYPES

Linear Rotary

3
STYLES OF ROTARY POTENTIOMETERS

Three styles of potentiometers are shown below. The


center lead in each style is referred to as the “wiper.”
wiper.”
turn slot or wheel to adjust

turn knob
to adjust
turn to adjust
wiper
wiper wiper

Potentiometer
symbols

wiper

Uses of potentiometers: Potentiometers have two key uses:

1) Adjustable resistors (or rheostats)


In this case, only two leads are required. Use the center lead
lead (wiper)
and either end lead.

Symbol:

2) Voltage dividers (or potentiometers)


In this case, all three leads are used as the potentiometer acts like
a voltage divider. A 10k potentiometer can be thought of as two
series resistors, where the sum of the two resistors is always 10k.
10k.
Adjusting the wiper changes the value of R1 and R2 (R2 = 10k – R1).

R1 R2
Symbol:

wiper R1 + R2 = 10k
(for a 10k Potentiometer)

4
Connecting a potentiometer as a
potential divider

 R 
 0 
Vi V = Vi  
0 R +R 
10 V  1 0

V0 Example:
R1 if R1 = R0 (say 10 ohms each)
5V
R0 Voltage at divider should be?

Potential divider (continued)

5
EXERCISE 11

EXERCISE 11

1. Data:

Voltage across AC = 5 Volts

Distance AC = 100 mm

Output Voltage changes to 2.65 Volts

2. Asked:

a. Displacement of the object ∆L


b. Direction of its movement

6
EXERCISE 11

3. Solution:

Relation between volts and mm: Volts / mm = 5 / 100 = 0.05 V/mm


If the output voltage changes from 2.5 volts to 2.65 this is a change of
2.65 – 2.5 = 0.15 Volts.

Thus the displacement of the object is 0.15 / 0.05 = 3 mm

Since the output voltage has become more positive,


the displacement is towards A

EXERCISE 12

7
EXERCISE 12

1. Data:

Input Voltage Vi = 5 Volts


R0 = 8 kΩ
R1 = 2 kΩ

2. Asked:

a. Output Voltage V0
b. Scaling factor of the potentiometer

EXERCISE 12
3. Solution:

 R0 
V0 = Vi   =
 R1 + R0 

 8  V0 = 9.6 Volts
= 12  = 12x 0.8 = 9.6V
 2+8

output voltage V0 9.6


Scaling factor = = = = 0.8
input voltage Vi 12

Scaling factor = 0.8 or 80%

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