Trimmer Potentiometers | Trimmer Resistors | RS
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    Trimmer Potentiometers

    Trimmer potentiometers, sometimes referred to as trim pots or trimmer resistors are a type of adjustable potentiometer (variable resistor). They are used to calibrate and fine-tune circuits. Trimmer potentiometers are typically constructed from cermet or have a carbon composition. They can be mounted directly onto PCBs (printed circuit boards).

    Trimmer potentiometers are not adjusted very frequently. You can think of them as a 'set and forget' component. Trim pots let you set (or trim) the resistance to obtain a very precise current, output voltage or gain. Once the value has been set, it is unlikely that you'll need to adjust the trimmer again unless you need to recalibrate the circuit.

    Can I replace a normal potentiometer with a trimmer potentiometer?

    Yes, you can. However, trimmer potentiometers are typically more expensive than standard potentiometers with a fixed resistance rating. It is also worth bearing in mind the difference in lifespan too. Many potentiometers have a lifespan that allows for hundreds of thousands of cycles. Trimmer potentiometers typically have a lifespan of a few hundred cycles (at best). Trim pots also tend to take up more space on a PCB than a standard potentiometer.

    Do I need a single turn or multiturn trim pot?

    This completely depends on the intended application of the trim pot. Multiturn trimmer pots tend to have a higher resolution than single turn models. A single turn trimmer potentiometer is ideal for applications where a resolution of one turn is enough.

    Adjustment types

    Trimmer potentiometers are normally adjusted by hand (you can turn the adjustment knob with your fingers), with a screwdriver or with a specialised adjustment tool designed for use with a particular model or series.

    2936 Products showing for Trimmer Potentiometers

    Bourns
    50Ω
    Through Hole
    1
    Side Adjust
    0.5W
    3386
    Solder Pin
    9.53mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    0.76 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Nidec Components
    500Ω
    Through Hole
    1
    Top Adjust
    0.5W
    RJ-4
    Pin
    -
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    -
    4.9mm
    -55°C
    Nidec Components
    100kΩ
    Through Hole
    18
    Side Adjust
    0.5W
    CT-94
    Pin
    9.6mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    2.3 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Bourns
    -
    Surface Mount
    11
    -
    0.125W
    3223W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Bourns
    50kΩ
    Surface Mount
    12
    Side Adjust
    0.25W
    3224
    J-Hook
    4.8mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.5 mm
    -
    -65°C
    Bourns
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Tokyo Cosmos Electric
    -
    Through Hole
    1
    Side Adjust
    0.5W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Bourns
    20kΩ
    Surface Mount
    1
    Side Adjust
    0.125W
    3313
    J-Hook
    3.61mm
    ±20%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.93 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Bourns
    1MΩ
    Through Hole
    1
    -
    0.5W
    3386
    PC Pin
    9.53mm
    ±10%
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Vishay
    5kΩ
    Through Hole
    21
    Side Adjust
    0.5W
    T93
    Pin
    9.7mm
    ±10%
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    2.2 mm
    -
    -55°C
    NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS GMBH
    -
    Surface Mount
    1
    Top Adjust
    0.25W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Bourns
    1kΩ
    Surface Mount
    12
    Top Adjust
    0.25W
    PVG5
    J-Hook
    4.8mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±150ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.5 mm
    -
    -55°C
    NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS GMBH
    -
    Surface Mount
    1
    Top Adjust
    0.25W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Nidec Components
    100Ω
    Through Hole
    14
    Top Adjust
    0.25W
    RJ-5
    Pin
    6mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.6 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Tokyo Cosmos Electric
    -
    Through Hole
    1
    Top Adjust
    0.5W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Nidec Components
    200Ω
    Through Hole
    18
    Top Adjust
    0.5W
    CT-94
    Pin
    9.6mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    2.3 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Vishay
    200kΩ
    Surface Mount
    11
    Top Adjust
    0.2W
    TSM4
    Gull Wing
    4.8mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.5 mm
    -
    -55°C
    Nidec Components
    1kΩ
    Surface Mount
    11
    Top Adjust
    0.125W
    SM-3
    J-Hook
    3.9mm
    ±20%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    1.3 mm
    -
    -65°C
    NIDEC COPAL ELECTRONICS GMBH
    -
    Surface Mount
    1
    Top Adjust
    0.25W
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Nidec Components
    20kΩ
    Through Hole
    18
    Top Adjust
    0.5W
    CT-94
    Pin
    9.6mm
    ±10%
    -
    ±100ppm/°C
    -
    -
    -
    2.3 mm
    -
    -55°C
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