DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL

EDUCATION, A.P.
Name : P. VENKAT RAO.
Designation : Lecturer.
Branch : Electronics and Communication Engg.
Institute : Govt. Model Residential Polytechnic,
Gajwel.
Year / Semester : I Year.
Subject : Electronic Components & Materials.
Subject Code : EC-105
Major Topic : Resistors.
Duration : 50 Mts.
Sub Topic : Comparing Carbon and Wire wound
potentiometers.
Teaching Aids : ANIMATIONS & DIAGRAMS

EC105.12 1
 OBJECTIVES

On completion of this period, you would

be able to

• Compare the features of carbon and wire wound

potentiometers.

EC105.12 2
In the previous topic, you have learnt about
the following :

• Constructional details of Carbon Potentiometer.

• Constructional details of Wire – wound Potentiometers.

• The specifications of above Potentiometers and about

their applications.

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Comparison between Carbon and Wire- wound
Potentiometers.

• In the Carbon Potentiometer, the resistive material used

is Carbon composition(i.e. mixture of carbon and resin

binder).

• In the Wire – wound Potentiometer, the resistive element

used is Nichrome wire (i.e. alloy of Nickel and Chromium).

EC105.12 4
 Comparison between Carbon and
Wire-wound Potentiometers.

• The resistance value of Carbon Potentiometer is very

high. (varies from 100 Ω to 25 M Ω)

• The resistance value of Wire – wound is very low. (0.1 Ω

to 150 K Ω)

EC105.12 5
 Comparison between Carbon and
Wire- wound Potentiometers.

• The power rating of Carbon Potentiometer is low.

( 1/4 watts to 2 Watts)

• The power rating of Wire – wound is high. (1.5 watts to 4 watts)

EC105.12 6
Comparison between Carbon and Wire-
wound Potentiometers.

• It is easy to obtain a taper in a Carbon Potentiometer.

• It is very difficult to obtain a taper in case of Wire –

wound Potentiometer.

EC105.12 7
 Comparison between Carbon and
Wire- wound Potentiometers.

• The stability of Carbon Potentiometer is very less.

• The stability of Wire – wound Potentiometer is more due

to its rugged construction.

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 Comparison between Carbon and
Wire- wound Potentiometers.

• Carbon Potentiometer is widely used in the volume

control of Radio and TV receivers.

• The Wire – wound Potentiometer is widely used in the

voltage control in various electronic equipment.

EC105.12 9
 Comparison between Carbon and Wire-
wound Potentiometers.
S.No PARAMETER CARBON WIRE-WOUND
POT POT
1. Resistive Carbon Nichrome wire
Element composition

2. Resistance High Low

value

3. Power rating Low High

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 Comparison between Carbon and Wire-
wound Potentiometers.
S.No PARAMETER CARBON WIRE-WOUND
POT POT

4. Obtaining Taper Easy Difficult

5. Stability Less More

6. Application Volume Voltage

control control

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Carbon - Potentiometer

Fig 1
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Wire – wound Potentiometer

Fig 2
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QUIZ

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1.The stability of Carbon Potentiometer is

a. Low

c. Very low

e. High

g. Very high

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2.It is easier to obtain the tapering in case of

a. Carbon Potentiometer

b. Wire – wound Potentiometer

d. Rheostat

f. None

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 Frequently asked questions

• Differentiate between Carbon and Wire – wound

Potentiometers.

EC105.12 17