PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

(AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION)

COIMBATORE-641 004

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF LOADING EFFECT OF POTENTIOMETER

(A Report submitted in partial fulfilment in the requirements of the course)

19U410 - TRANSDUCER LABORATORY

A REPORT SUBMITTED BY

MADHUMITA K - (22U226)
II – YEAR (IV SEMESTER)

Program: B.E. Instrumentation and Control Engineering

Branch: DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL
ENGINEERING

Faculty in charge

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 TABLES OF CONTENTS

Abstract………………………………………………………. (i)
List of figures……………………...…………………………. (ii)
List of tables……………………...……………………….......(iii)

1. INTRODUCTION……………………………………....... 1
1.1. Theory
1.2. Principle of Operations
1.3. Circuit Diagrams
1.4. Circuit Analysis
1.5. Applications
2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP………………………………. 5
2.1. Aim
2.2. Apparatus Required
2.3. Circuit diagrams
2.4. Model Graph
2.5. Procedure
3. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS……………………. 8
3.1. Readings
3.2. Graph
4. INFERENCE.……………………………………………. 11
5. CONCLUSION……….…………………………………. 12
6. REFERENCE…………….……………………………… 13
 ABSTRACT
This experiment explores the loading effect of potentiometers by varying resistive loads
connected to them. Findings indicate significant deviations in output voltage as load resistance
decreases, highlighting the importance of load considerations in potentiometer applications.
Understanding this effect is crucial for optimizing measurement system accuracy and
reliability.

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure no Title Page no
Fig 1.1. No loading effect - circuit diagram 2
Fig 1.2. With loading effect - circuit diagram 2
Fig 2.1. No load effect 5
Fig 2.2. With loading effect 6
Fig 2.3. Model graph – No loading effect 6
Fig 2.4. Model graph – With loading effect 7
Fig 3.1. No loading effect 10
Fig 3.2. With loading effect 10

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 LIST OF TABLES
Table no Title Page no
Table 3.1. No loading effect - Tabulation 8
Table 3.2. With loading effect - Tabulation 9

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 1. INTRODUCTION
Resistive potentiometers, commonly known as "pots," are essential electronic
components facilitating voltage division, resistance modulation, and signal manipulation in
circuits. Featuring a resistive track and a sliding contact, they enable precise adjustment of
voltage levels or signal attenuation by tapping into different points along the resistance. Widely
employed in audio equipment, instrumentation, and control systems, potentiometers offer
versatility and simplicity. Understanding their basic principles is crucial for designing effective
electronic circuits.

1.1. THEORY
Resistive Potentiometer is used for the measurement of applied linear
displacement. The displacement to be measured is applied to the wiper contact of the
potentiometer; which gets displaced according to the displacement applied. The position of the
contact determines the resistance between the terminals as shown in the diagram. The change
in resistance is taken as a measure of unknown displacement. Loading effect occurs because of
the impedance mismatch between two devices which are connected into each other. To avoid
impedance mismatch, the input impedance of any device should be maximum and the output
impedance should be zero.

1.2. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

 Resistive Potentiometer

A resistive potentiometer measures linear displacement by converting it into

changes in electrical resistance. As displacement is applied to the wiper contact, it
moves along a resistive track, altering the resistance between terminals. This change in
resistance indicates the applied displacement. Minimizing impedance mismatch
between devices by maximizing input impedance and minimizing output impedance
ensures measurement accuracy.

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1.3. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

 Circuit diagram – No loading effect

Fig 1.1. No loading effect - circuit diagram

 Circuit diagram – No loading effect

Fig 1.2. With loading effect - circuit diagram

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1.4. CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
No loading effect:
1. Components: The circuit comprises a 10V voltage source (VLC), two 5 kΩ resistors in
series, and a 5 kΩ potentiometer.
2. Configuration: The resistors form a series connection, with the potentiometer in parallel to
one resistor.
3. Measurement: Voltage across the potentiometer is measured using a voltmeter (Vout).
4. Load Conditions: No load is connected, resulting in minimal current flow through the
circuit.
5. Voltage Measurement: Due to minimal current, Vout registers a voltage close to zero.
6. Analysis Focus: The circuit's behavior under no loading conditions is emphasized for
understanding its performance in practical scenarios.

With loading effect:

1. Components: It consists of a 10V voltage source (VCC), two 5 kΩ resistors in series, a 5 kΩ

potentiometer, and a load resistor (RL).

2. Configuration: The resistors are in series, with the potentiometer in parallel to one resistor.
The load resistor is connected across the voltmeter (Vout).

3. Current Flow: Current flows through the circuit based on the total resistance and Ohm's Law.

4. Loading Effect: The presence of the load resistor diverts some current from the
potentiometer, reducing the voltage measured by Vout.

5. Impact: Vout is influenced by the voltage drop across the load resistor, affecting the accuracy
of voltage measurement.

6. Minimizing Loading Effect: Strategies include using high impedance voltmeters or buffer
circuits to minimize current draw and isolate the voltmeter from affecting the potentiometer's
voltage.

7. Considerations: Internal resistance of the potentiometer and its resistance compared to the
load resistor also affect the loading effect and circuit performance.

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1.5. APPLICATIONS

Linear Resistive potentiometer – Applications

Temperature Control: Potentiometers regulate temperature by adjusting resistance in

heating or cooling systems.

Instrumentation Calibration: They ensure accuracy in instrumentation measurements

by adjusting reference voltages or currents.

Motor Speed Control: Potentiometers vary voltage or current to regulate motor speeds.

Transducer Sensitivity Adjustment: They fine-tune transducer output signals for

optimal sensing performance.

Feedback Control Systems: Potentiometers provide position feedback for precise

adjustments in closed-loop control systems.

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 2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
2.1. AIM

To study the loading effect of linear resistive potentiometer.

2.2. APPARATUS REQUIRED

 Resistive Potentiometer 5 KΩ
 DC Power Supply (0-10V) DC
 Resistors 1KΩ,2KΩ
 Multimeter

2.3. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

No load effect

Fig.2.1. No load effect

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With loading effect

Fig.2.2. With loading effect

2.4. MODEL GRAPH

No loading effect:

Fig.2.3. Model graph – No loading effect

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With loading effect:

Fig.2.4. Model Graph – With loading effect

2.5. PROCEDURE

To obtain the characteristics of potentiometer.

1. Give the connection as given in the circuit diagram shown in figure 1

2. Apply the displacement say 5mm to the potentiometer.
3. Note down the output reading in the multimeter.
4. Repeat steps 3 and 4, by increasing the applied displacement in steps of 5mm; for at
least six times.
5. Plot the input displacement versions output Voltage.

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 3. READINGS AND OBSERVATIONS
3.1. READINGS

TABULATION - No load effect

S.NO Applied displacement (mm) Output Voltage (mV)

1. 0.5 0.51

2. 1 1.1

3. 1.5 1.63

4. 2 2.1

5. 2.5 2.5

6. 3 3.03

7. 3.5 3.51

8. 4 3.95

9. 4.5 4.5

10. 5 5.1

Table 3.1. No loading effect – Tabulation

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TABULATION - Under loading effect

S.NO Applied displacement (mm) Output Voltage (mV)

Rx = 1kΩ Rx = 2kΩ Rx = 5kΩ

1. 0.5 0.4 0.56 0.58

2. 1 0.63 0.8 0.97

3. 1.5 0.78 1.1 1.3

4. 2 0.98 1.4 1.7

5. 2.5 1.1 1.7 2.15

6. 3 1.3 2 2.48

7. 3.5 1.73 2.49 2.95

8. 4 2.15 3.04 3.47

9. 4.5 3.05 4 4.14

10. 5 4.37 4.7 4.87

Table 3.2. With loading effect - Tabulation

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3.2. GRAPH

No loading effect:

Fig. 3.1. No loading effect

With loading effect:

Fig.3.2. With loading effect

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 4. INFERENCE
The experiment highlights the significant impact of loading effect on potentiometer
performance, where decreasing load resistance results in deviations from expected output
voltages. This underscores the necessity of considering impedance matching to maintain
accuracy in potentiometer applications.

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 5. CONCLUSION
Thus, the loading effect of linear resistive potentiometer was studied.

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 6. REFERENCE
WEBSITES:
 electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/231488/electrically-loaded-resistive-
potentiometer
BOOK:
 John P Bentley, "Principles of Measurement Systems", 5th Edition, Pearson
Education

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