Potentiometer terminal markings

It would be helpful to mark the end of a potentiometer that corresponds to the "K" value of 1. This is especially important when simulating a decade sweep of the potentiometer.

by OakBloodThree
April 14, 2021

A pot. has the same resistance "k value" no matter which polarity you use to measure it. If you connect one end to ground and the other end to say 10v the voltage at the slider will vary 0 to 10v as you turn the shaft and if you reverse the connections you will get the same result except that the shaft must be turned the opposite direction.

by Foxx
April 20, 2021

It matters.

If you build the circuit, you want to know which way is clockwise. You want it marked on the schematic when you print it.

If you do a linear sweep of K when simulating, you'll get the same set of values either way. But, when simulating a decade sweep of K (similar to a log potentiometer) you will not.

For example 0.01 to 1.0, 3 per decade, you would get K = 0.01, 0.022, 0.046, 0.1, 0.22, 0.46, 1.

It is not indicated on the schematic which end corresponds to 0.

by OakBloodThree
April 21, 2021

OK I see the problem now and I've made a public demonstration circuit to illustrate it, URL https://www.circuitlab.com/circuit/7qn744b9w8nq/potbug/ I think this is a job for one of the gurus. Comments, vandergast ?

by Foxx
April 22, 2021

Hi guys, I've been using circuitlab for a few months now and I ran into this issue as well.

Something like simply adding an arrow in the direction of counterclockwise would be a huge help!

by mimmotronics
February 15, 2023

Definitely agree this is a significant problem. It seems a simple thing to fix as well. In the meantime, the symbol actually is asymmetrical if you look closely at the wiper indicator. The K=0 side of the pot is the terminal that is closer to where the wiper arrow is closest to the peak of the zig zag in the resistor symbol it points to. It's not very easy to remember this on the fly though.

by shoe
May 15, 2023

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