Symbols · POT

Potentiometer

A potentiometer uses a movable contact on a resistive element to provide a documented adjustable divider or resistance.

SLD / Schematic · POTPotentiometer: original educational illustration
Original educational illustrationNot to scale · See source and graphic notes

What it represents

A potentiometer uses a movable contact on a resistive element to provide a documented adjustable divider or resistance. Its end terminals and wiper must be distinguishable.

How to read it

  • Trace the wiper separately from the two fixed ends.
  • The preview is an original explanation of this function. Match the actual drawing convention to its legend and the selected equipment documentation.

Information to show or reference

  • State resistance value
  • Identify wiper and ends
  • Reference intended adjustment range

A distinction that matters

A potentiometer used as a divider has three circuit connections; a rheostat connection uses a variable resistive path.

Sources you can follow

These public references support the explanation and provide further detail. Their graphics and downloadable files remain with their publishers.

Resistors and heater-element symbols

Public documentation of this equipment function or named vendor variant; the illustration is independently authored and is not the source graphic.

Autodesk · Public reference checked 13 October 2026 · Link only

About this graphic

This illustration was authored independently by Elora Grid to explain the concept. It is not reproduced from a customer drawing, an official standard graphic or a manufacturer CAD file. Its correspondence to an exact IEC or IEEE symbol identifier has not been certified.

SVG and DXF downloads contain this original artwork. DXF uses unscaled drawing units; a GA envelope supplies no product dimensions, clearances or fabrication information. Original artwork is available under CC BY 4.0. Third-party references retain their own terms.

Entry JSON · Entry Markdown · Last editorial update: 13 October 2026

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