Rheostat VS Potentiometer | Differences with Diagram and Applications

Rheostat VS Potentiometer

Most of the people were confused about Rheostat and Potentiometer. Rheostat and Potentiometer both work in the principle of variable resistance but there is a little difference between them. In this post, we are going to know what is Rheostat and Potentiometer. What is the difference between them?

What is Rheostat?

The Rheostat is a two-terminal device which generally connected in series and provides the facility to vary the resistance. The Rheostat is nothing but a variable resistor. Rheostat is mainly used to control the flow of current.

The rheostat has mainly two parts one is resistive material or you can say resistor and another is a movable wiper.

The rheostat has two terminals. One terminal is connected to the one end of the resistor and another is connected to the wiper. By moving the wiper we can vary the resistance across the two terminals.

Actually, a rheostat has three terminals but we use two terminals- one from the wiper and another from anyone of the terminals of the resistive element. Remember that according to the connection, the operation will be changed with respect to the wiper movement.

Rheostat Symbol:

Connection Diagram of Rheostat:

A potentiometer can be used as a Rheostat. The connection of the potentiometer as rheostat is shown below.

Application of Rheostat:

(1) Rheostats are used in the laboratory for equipment testing purposes.

(2) Rheostats are used to control the speed of Motors.

(3) Rheostats are used to control the intensity of the light. To control the intensity or brightness of the light, the rheostat is connected in series with the light. When we increase the resistance the brightness of the light decreases and when we decrease the resistance the brightness of the light increases.

What is Potentiometer?

The Potentiometer name comes from the concept of varying potential differences. The potentiometer is a device that gives the facility to vary the potential difference or voltage.

The potentiometer also has two parts, one is a resistive part and another is a movable wiper or knob.

The potentiometer is a three-terminal device. Two terminals come from the two ends of the resistive part and another is connected to the movable wiper.

The Potentiometer also works on the principle of the Variable resistance. It is most suitable for voltage dividing. Generally, the potentiometer is connected across the voltage source. By rotating the knob or moving the wiper we can vary the output voltage. The potentiometer reduces the voltage by dropping the voltage across the resistor.

Potentiometer Symbol:

Connection Diagram of Potentiometer:

The equation for voltage division by the potentiometer,

The connection of Practical Potentiometer,

Applications of Potentiometer:

(1) The main application of a Potentiometer is voltage dividing or voltage varying.

(2) Potentiometers are used in electronic circuits to vary the input voltage.

(3) The potentiometer is also used as a Displacement Transducer.

(4) Potentiometers are also used for Resistance comparison.

(5) A very well-known and common application of a Potentiometer is Audio control. Potentiometers are used in audio devices to control loudness.

(6) Potentiometers are also used in Television to control brightness, contrast, etc.

(7) potentiometers are used for measurement of voltage, comparison of emf of cells, etc.

Difference Between Rheostat and Potentiometer:

SL NO.	Rheostat	Potentiometer
1.	A rheostat is a two-terminal device.	A potentiometer is a three-terminal device.
2.	The main function of the Rheostat is to control the flow of current.	The main purpose of a Potentiometer is to vary the voltage or voltage dividing.
3.	Rheostat is mainly used in a circuit to vary the resistance.	A potentiometer is mainly used in a circuit to vary the voltage or to give a variable supply voltage
4.	A Rheostat cannot be used as a Potentiometer.	A potentiometer can be used as a Rheostat
5.	A Rheostat cannot divide voltage.	A Potentiometer can divide voltage.

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