© Jeds Peds
EOTS
Pag
e
14
Pots
As a rule, I design my PCBS to accept two styles of potentiometer.
Usually if a kit is designed for this style then you will
receive them.
Occasionally
you may receive a mixture of this style and
the next. If so, you can use wires to attach the pot to the
PCB. There are various reasons this may happen such as
supply issues or it may also be a part of the design.
If you received any pots that look like this, then they will need to be
wired to the PCB. You can achieve this by using normal wire, or, you
can use header pins which is what I did when I prototyped others.
The pots have their values written on them
The pins are numbered, but that is not written on the
part. Pin 1 is indicated on the PCB with either a square
pad or a number 1, or both. The pin numbers are the
same for both types of pot.
Just behind pin 1 and next to the shaft is a small metal tag.
Take a pair of pliers and snap this off. It comes away easily.
Sometimes the pots have plastic covers on the bottom, like
this one. Sometimes they
don’t.
If the pots you receive
don’t
have the dust cover, then you need to ensure you isolate the
metal case of the pot from touching any other metal
components, or it will cause you problems.
