Potentiometers - How They Work, Disassembly and Exploration

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  • Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
  • Please support me by listening to my music: spoti.fi/43TAbqx or ffm.bio/waveaway
    Visit my blog: www.planetz.com/potentiometer-....
    The multimeter I use in this video is the Mastech MS8229 - amzn.to/3n0oDB6. (I am not sponsored - this is just my recommendation based on personal experience. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via the link).
    In this video, I disassemble a couple different pots (Bourns and CTS 500k audio taper) to show how they're constructed, and explain how they work. I also show how to identify pot values and taper by their markings and by measuring with a multimeter.
    **Correction: at 6:25, I said it backwards. Narrower has more resistance than wider. For the same length, a thinner wire has more resistance than a thicker wire. Similarly, at 4:37, it would have been clearer to say "longer length, more resistance".
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 348

  • @glazinq
    @glazinq 13 років тому +22

    Now this is what UA-cam is all about! Great presentation, very clearly explained and extremely helpful. Many thanks!

    • @coinbird44
      @coinbird44 10 місяців тому +2

      you mean what UA-cam "was" all about 😅

  • @khaledadams4329
    @khaledadams4329 5 років тому +7

    Been working with pots for a while now and this was still VERY informative and easy to watch. Thanks!

  • @Geopholus
    @Geopholus Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the accurate, and well presented video on potentiometers. This video is SO MUCH BETTER than most of the others! The great thing about CTS pots is that they can dissipate more power than most of the other audio pots (except PEC) and they can be disassembled, and reassembled to to change shaft length or style and also change resistance elements of double ganged pots.

  • @100chuckjones
    @100chuckjones 11 років тому +20

    I do tutorials myself so I know what im talking about when I say this is a very well put together tutorial, more like a small seminar :)
    great job

    • @MrKnoxguy101
      @MrKnoxguy101 4 роки тому +1

      Yes! I’ve actually watched some of your vids on the Cakewalk X2 along with a few others. Very informative and thank you.

    • @Special-Delivery57
      @Special-Delivery57 3 роки тому +1

      I’m just beginning to look into these things and I agree. Thank you John Cooper and thank you chuck for saying the same thing that I was going to say. This video is extremely helpful.

  • @BJBorchert93
    @BJBorchert93 13 років тому

    Your videos have been SO helpful. I've learned a lot about the technical and physical stuff that I thought I'd never learn. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom! I've been enjoying geeking out on these videos!

  • @BaldurKhr
    @BaldurKhr 4 роки тому +5

    So beautifully explained and so easy to grasp. Thank you for this elegant presentation!

  • @stevenA44
    @stevenA44 5 років тому +2

    FINALLY, someone who explains how these things work and how to tell the difference!!! Liked.

  • @peavelSD
    @peavelSD 12 років тому

    hello, i want to say that i really appreciate your effort you put into these videos, these are really helpful!

  • @glennsophie3235
    @glennsophie3235 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the video. I had problems with my cts pot but your video gave me confidence to open it up and fix it. Many thanks. I was nearly ordering new.

  • @Forde3654Eire
    @Forde3654Eire 13 років тому

    Thanks for your thorough explanation on those potentiometers! I need them to build my own home-made racing wheel, hadn't a clue what they were. Now this solves half of the problem already!

  • @guppyfry
    @guppyfry 8 років тому

    I've been reading about Pots, but only after watching your video do I see and understand how they work. Thank you!!!

  • @manifestgtr
    @manifestgtr 12 років тому

    dude...you are really good at explaining things...normally, I'll watch a video like this and the person doing it is so steeped in the subject that they just cant or don't bother to explain it in a way that's easily digestible...awesome video

  • @wentzr
    @wentzr 9 років тому +1

    excellent explanations and demonstration on how the variety of pots work and how they're manufactured.

  • @richardcouture5369
    @richardcouture5369 9 років тому +1

    Thanks for taking the time to do this for others. It was very informative and well done.

  • @CannonfireProduction
    @CannonfireProduction 11 років тому +1

    Thanks John. I went for a new push/push pot (might as well do a Gilmour mod if I've got to change the pot). Not put it on yet but the flow tests are completely different to my old pot, ie they're correct! What a relief, but interesting to know that a pot can die just like that. Love the idea of a troubleshooter vid if you're up for it. It'll save the world from restless nights and brain ache.

  • @philjones2760
    @philjones2760 Рік тому +1

    Nice video - something I've often wondered about but had no idea how they worked. You explained it very well!!

  • @UnluckyFett
    @UnluckyFett 12 років тому

    Thanks, Ive know how they work but your video and explanations really make it clearer in my head on how to wire pots to do different thing

  • @ramullins
    @ramullins 9 років тому +4

    good stuff, man, artfully presented, professionally researched. Loves

  • @nmssis
    @nmssis 11 років тому

    your vid posts are like a breath of fresh air for novices like me.
    Thanks for posting

  • @HSHS67VA
    @HSHS67VA 11 років тому

    Thanks for this excellent tutorial! It is a great help in diagnosing a volume control problem for a virtual organ!

  • @rcmoot
    @rcmoot 12 років тому

    it is so nice to see you are informing us on these simple things

  • @reed-xd8zx
    @reed-xd8zx 10 років тому +6

    Great job, crystal clear explanation, thanks.

  • @djsonuamravati
    @djsonuamravati 3 роки тому +1

    this is the best and simplest video on potentiometer....... thank u sir ........

  • @incantatis
    @incantatis 14 років тому

    No BS, pure gold! Thank you! Keep doing this! Rock ON!

  • @futchofdeth666
    @futchofdeth666 9 років тому

    Thank You Sir! Bass guitar stopped working, checked everything with multimeter couldn't figure it out. Watched your vid, took mine apart and back together, tighter with the clips. I assume it just was a bad connection inside, works now and I understand pots!

  • @vaughanmaybury2825
    @vaughanmaybury2825 5 років тому +1

    Hi John, thanks for making this video, very well explained and helpful.

  • @damianmerrick9259
    @damianmerrick9259 7 років тому

    Excellent tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to help educate us all.

  • @metalmania707
    @metalmania707 13 років тому

    Very informative! Thanks for taking the time to produce the vid.

  • @gwmerr
    @gwmerr 12 років тому

    Natural teacher at work here. I came here knowing what a potentiometer does ....always wondered the what & how? In ten minutes I learned so much targeted information! Wow, thank you, johnplanetz

  • @electricwally
    @electricwally 7 років тому +1

    Very, very helpful John. I learned a lot. Best wishes and thank you.

  • @bermudaguitar
    @bermudaguitar Рік тому +1

    Very precise and awesome presentation

  • @arupdutta7687
    @arupdutta7687 5 років тому +1

    Very well explained in layman's terms. Greetings from Kolkata, India.

  • @AmrMKamel
    @AmrMKamel 10 років тому +1

    Thank you I really had hard time understanding how pots work but now its piece of cake thanks to you :-)

  • @jono7145
    @jono7145 14 років тому +1

    cheers mate, this really helped with my coursework

  • @IngenieroDeSonidoJFP
    @IngenieroDeSonidoJFP 11 років тому

    Perfect explanation, I'm sharing it on my facebook and twitter for my students. Thanks!

  • @aaronbinder6924
    @aaronbinder6924 10 років тому

    Ahhh very cool man!! TY for that video. I have a 16 watt tube amp I bought from Tube Depot and I'm on my 3rd Potentiometer. I keep getting the ones from Parts Express and they are total crap!! After watching your video now I have a better idea of where to look for a better POT . Thanks again!! Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Take care

  • @craigpattenden
    @craigpattenden 12 років тому

    Really cool video man. Thorough and simple.

  • @halfcabdisaster7
    @halfcabdisaster7 12 років тому

    Thanks for the video, pots make a lot more sense now.

  • @KyleRebar
    @KyleRebar 8 років тому

    Clean explanation. Makes sense to lay-folk like me. Nice work!

  • @TzzX78
    @TzzX78 13 років тому

    great explanation simple and easy to understand...love electronics

  • @LLJJEEYY
    @LLJJEEYY 13 років тому

    Love your videos. Thank you for your time and the shared knowledge.

  • @James_Haskin
    @James_Haskin 14 років тому

    This is a really well made video.
    Thanks John!

  • @beninglis8097
    @beninglis8097 6 років тому +2

    Fantastic videos mate.

  • @johneric3886
    @johneric3886 4 роки тому +1

    Nice work I really enjoyed your video!

  • @100roberthenry
    @100roberthenry 14 років тому

    great explanation of pots....nice one man...

  • @TheHaircutcity
    @TheHaircutcity 5 років тому +1

    Excellent Video, very complete!

  • @carvindc400
    @carvindc400 13 років тому

    Thanks for putting the time in this very well done video : )

  • @Xerceis
    @Xerceis 7 років тому

    Awesome video man!

  • @robertmessore
    @robertmessore 12 років тому

    Thanks for sharing your gift for teaching!

  • @TheForce_Productions
    @TheForce_Productions 5 років тому +2

    Is for this I prefer linear for volumes and audio for tones, imo and taste this way you can get a better control over each one. Nice video!

  • @CurlyQLink
    @CurlyQLink 10 років тому +2

    Excellent video, thanks.

  • @E5Bobby
    @E5Bobby 12 років тому

    I thoroughly enjoyed this video John. Thank you for making it. It was VERY well done. I've got a rheostat on a ceiling fan that only has two lugs. I think it's bad because the fan spins very slowly across the whole range of the rheostat. It's soldered into place so I'm going to take it out of the fan (circuit) and test it with my VOM. If I can tell it's bad I'll go to the local lighting store to see about a replacement. It should work much like the ones you tested in the video, correct?

  • @Williamson_Eric
    @Williamson_Eric 13 років тому

    Super Clear! Thanks----
    Very well explained.
    Thanks

  • @SandersAmps
    @SandersAmps 10 років тому +2

    Very nice tutorial. Thanks.

  • @floridascolas
    @floridascolas 11 років тому

    Thanks!! I am going to make a little headphone amp using this. If I where to attach the input in one line of tabs and the out put in another then bridge the two, would that work?

  • @catch22punk
    @catch22punk 13 років тому

    Very well explained. Very useful video!

  • @neyronnature5584
    @neyronnature5584 3 роки тому

    Really interesting and well explained ! congrats ! I am into vintage pots for a 52-59 LP conversion and wonder how much they have an effect on the sound. Bonamassa, highly knowledgeable on 59 bursts says that the central lab pots play a major role (50%) in the sound of these guitars. Do you believe the quality of a pot can be that important into the sound ? Same question on old bumble bees...If you have ideas, or opinions, I'd be interested. thanks a lot.

  • @littlebluemarblesurfer6342
    @littlebluemarblesurfer6342 4 роки тому +1

    Well explained my friend. Thank you

  • @ck9000
    @ck9000 10 років тому +1

    Great video, thanks for educating me

  • @MrKnoxguy101
    @MrKnoxguy101 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you Mr. Cooper.

  • @YaKamarJulia
    @YaKamarJulia 13 років тому

    very useful informations I have found here! Thanks!

  • @stavroshouiris
    @stavroshouiris 11 років тому

    Thank you so much for taking the time to rite me back and i find your reply rely helpful, thanks.

  • @danielphillips9844
    @danielphillips9844 10 років тому

    Thanks for sharing this info. I am currently researching for a project. I am going to update an antique radio and am looking for details about how to choose the right parts for volume control, and radio dial. the radio dial i want it to still show the pin pointing at frequency but also send a digital signal to the raspberry pi, i believe that part is a rotary encoder. any suggestions on parts or similar projects would be greatly appreciated. thanks

  • @flamingfigures
    @flamingfigures 14 років тому

    My physics teacher threw a potentiometer on the speakers for the announcements. Turns the volume down to minimum and continues lessons... best hack ever.

  • @oklatex1948
    @oklatex1948 12 років тому

    John, I am really pleased to have found your videos. I've built a couple of guitars; but, always find myself wondering about the "hype" when it comes to pickups and electronics. I believe watching your videos will teach me to make the correct decisions. In the meantime, while I'm learning, I have a 1988 G & L Invader H-S-S that seems to be crackling a little. Any suggestions on what to replace and a good source for the parts? I would keep the original sound; but, if I can gain some tone???

  • @donniedarko7891
    @donniedarko7891 Рік тому +1

    Thx after your vid here i did managed to "repair" him. Thx. Works again flawless

  • @savionics7923
    @savionics7923 8 років тому +3

    well explained john

  • @nekkio99
    @nekkio99 14 років тому

    great video: does the pot need to be disconnected from the guitar electrics in order to measure its resistance? Or can it be done while the pot is soldered on the circuit?

  • @fdre3wsd
    @fdre3wsd 12 років тому

    excellent teaching, dude

  • @BenGeorgia
    @BenGeorgia Рік тому +1

    I appreciate this video. Fantastic, thank you.

  • @eugennew4334
    @eugennew4334 8 років тому +3

    Thanks very much. You explained it very well :)

  • @levych
    @levych 11 років тому

    excellent explanation

  • @tommyfairhurst9864
    @tommyfairhurst9864 7 років тому

    thank mate you are spot on i had some cts pot 500k where well under not now i did what you said now they are over 500k now thanks

  • @Habibulla.M
    @Habibulla.M 3 роки тому +1

    Well explained 🙏

  • @faawks
    @faawks 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks, I learnt a lot from this.

  • @saarike
    @saarike 8 років тому +1

    Nice explanation!

  • @aculeus1971
    @aculeus1971 13 років тому

    Very good videos. In one of your other videos showing an epiphone circuit being request, you have actually removed the pots and poked them through some aerated cardboard... But you didn't mention it ... That's actually a fantastically useful approach when wiring without a scratchplate... Keeps the work still and even allows you to draw the wiring between the lugs... The latter might help if you are just starting soldering.

  • @brianscroggins3390
    @brianscroggins3390 8 років тому

    Great explanation

  • @serba_serbi
    @serba_serbi 7 місяців тому +1

    Thanks you for amazing video👍

  • @formidable38
    @formidable38 13 років тому

    This is very usefull, Thanks. Ive got a fairly old Sony AV amp that has a bad volume control, it loses a channel and crackles when you turn the volume control. Would it be a similar potentiometer? I didnt know they were this simple. Think after watching this il give it a go and see if it'l clean up. Cant afford to lose the amp as it'l cost me a fortune to replace, its a great amp.

  • @shohruxibragimov2411
    @shohruxibragimov2411 3 роки тому

    thanks man, for such a tutorial

  • @Samuelsonfranz
    @Samuelsonfranz 12 років тому

    Thank you for this video! Which pot do you prefer? Is one smoother than the other by feel and taper? Thanks so much!
    All The Best,
    Sam

  • @scottwilly86
    @scottwilly86 9 років тому

    Thank you! You are an awesome teacher

  • @ESPPsycho
    @ESPPsycho 10 років тому +1

    Phenomenal, thanks for the video!

  • @Ryanhand
    @Ryanhand 5 років тому

    Hi John,
    Do you know what determines whether there is a centre detent on a Bourns pot?
    I would like to add a detent and I wondered if it's simply a case of bending a piece of metal
    Thanks

  • @rippingrudy
    @rippingrudy 13 років тому

    Great video!

  • @rmhutchins7
    @rmhutchins7 7 років тому

    I enjoyed your video. It was very helpful. Thank you!

  • @rksguit
    @rksguit 8 років тому

    Awesome vid,I had a super smooth 250k Volume pot in a Left Handed Ibanez RS135 that guitar did[very soon after buying] became sort of strat-like in looks,but not-before I stripped the 2mm resin[joking] and reshaped the body.I re-used the stock 250K volume pot.even after hacking a Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker-tilted,sounded superb,but that wonderful Vol. Pot. Wore Out 24 years later [great run!]In 2009 I eventually got from the US some 500k CTS Left Handed potentiometers-anyway man they're all irritatingly STIFF[no more"Cathedral"attempts since!],so Thank You for confirming why they is so!

  • @DP0884
    @DP0884 13 років тому

    Great Video, helped me a lot. Thank you very much.

  • @Special-Delivery57
    @Special-Delivery57 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you very much John Cooper.👍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

  • @damiencarlisle7520
    @damiencarlisle7520 9 років тому

    Great video. Thank you for making this.

  • @gmindgjerd
    @gmindgjerd 4 роки тому +1

    Learning. Thank you brother.

  • @TBD3.0
    @TBD3.0 Місяць тому +1

    👍Very well explained.

  • @joew4337
    @joew4337 10 років тому +1

    Great video, thanks!

  • @EdwinHenryBlachford
    @EdwinHenryBlachford 10 років тому +1

    very clear Yoda. thankyou

  • @philycheezesteak5176
    @philycheezesteak5176 5 років тому +2

    great vid!! so that's what A and B stands for!

    • @nelsondog100
      @nelsondog100 5 років тому

      Phily Cheezesteak A= audio, B= linear

  • @Solder-Flowz
    @Solder-Flowz 12 років тому

    Great video, thanks for sharing!

  • @pauleaston2329
    @pauleaston2329 3 роки тому +1

    Yes! Now I know why the volume on my Quasar black and white tv ain't working. Thanks, JC.

  • @lvvry1855
    @lvvry1855 7 років тому +1

    Great job. Sorry I'm late to join you. You're an excellent teacher. I hope you're doing it at a college somewhere.

  • @stuckinthecities
    @stuckinthecities 13 років тому

    This helped answer many questions I had..