How to Wire a Potentiometer
Identify the 3 terminals on the pot., Ground the first terminal of the pot., Wire the second terminal to the circuit's output., Wire the third terminal to the circuit's input., Test the pot to make sure it's wired correctly., Position the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Identify the 3 terminals on the pot.
Position the pot so that the shaft is facing up towards the ceiling and the 3 terminals are facing towards you.
With the pot in this position, you can refer to the terminals from left to right as 1, 2, and
3.
Make a note of these labels, as it can be easy to lose track of them when repositioning your pot while working. -
Step 2: Ground the first terminal of the pot.
For use as a volume control (by far the most common application), terminal 1 will provide the grounding.
To do this, you will need to solder one end of a length of wire to the terminal, and solder the other end to the chassis or frame of the electrical component.
Begin by measuring the length of wire you will need to connect the terminal to a convenient location on the chassis.
Use a pair of wire snips to cut the wire to length.
Use a soldering iron to solder the first end of the wire to terminal
1.
Solder the other end to the component's chassis.
This will ground the pot, allowing it to be turned all the way to zero when the shaft is at the minimum position. , Terminal 2 is the input of the potentiometer, meaning the output line from the circuit should connect to it.
For example, on a guitar, this would be the wire leading away from the pickup.
In an integrated amplifier, this would be the wire leading from the pre-amp stage.
Solder this connection as before. , Terminal 3 is the output of the pot, which means it should be wired to the circuit's input.
On a guitar, this would mean wiring terminal 3 to the output jack.
On an integrated audio amp, this would mean wiring terminal 3 to the speaker terminals.
Solder the wire carefully to the terminal. , Once the pot is wired, you can test it using a voltmeter.
Connect the voltmeter's leads to the input and output terminals of the pot and turn the shaft.
The reading on the voltmeter should change as the shaft is turned. , Once the pot is wired and has been tested, you can position it as needed.
Replace the cover of the electrical component and place a knob over the shaft of the pot if desired. -
Step 3: Wire the second terminal to the circuit's output.
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Step 4: Wire the third terminal to the circuit's input.
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Step 5: Test the pot to make sure it's wired correctly.
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Step 6: Position the potentiometer inside the electrical component.
Detailed Guide
Position the pot so that the shaft is facing up towards the ceiling and the 3 terminals are facing towards you.
With the pot in this position, you can refer to the terminals from left to right as 1, 2, and
3.
Make a note of these labels, as it can be easy to lose track of them when repositioning your pot while working.
For use as a volume control (by far the most common application), terminal 1 will provide the grounding.
To do this, you will need to solder one end of a length of wire to the terminal, and solder the other end to the chassis or frame of the electrical component.
Begin by measuring the length of wire you will need to connect the terminal to a convenient location on the chassis.
Use a pair of wire snips to cut the wire to length.
Use a soldering iron to solder the first end of the wire to terminal
1.
Solder the other end to the component's chassis.
This will ground the pot, allowing it to be turned all the way to zero when the shaft is at the minimum position. , Terminal 2 is the input of the potentiometer, meaning the output line from the circuit should connect to it.
For example, on a guitar, this would be the wire leading away from the pickup.
In an integrated amplifier, this would be the wire leading from the pre-amp stage.
Solder this connection as before. , Terminal 3 is the output of the pot, which means it should be wired to the circuit's input.
On a guitar, this would mean wiring terminal 3 to the output jack.
On an integrated audio amp, this would mean wiring terminal 3 to the speaker terminals.
Solder the wire carefully to the terminal. , Once the pot is wired, you can test it using a voltmeter.
Connect the voltmeter's leads to the input and output terminals of the pot and turn the shaft.
The reading on the voltmeter should change as the shaft is turned. , Once the pot is wired and has been tested, you can position it as needed.
Replace the cover of the electrical component and place a knob over the shaft of the pot if desired.
About the Author
Victoria Morales
Creates helpful guides on cooking to inspire and educate readers.
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