This section provides an overview for slide potentionmeters as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 slide potentionmeter manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked slide potentionmeter companies as of November, 2024: 1.Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd., 2.Bourns, Inc, 3.Dongguan TianQian Electronics Co., Ltd.
Table of Contents
A slide potentiometer is a type of variable resistor with a knob that slides horizontally to move the contactor.
It is one of the variable resistors whose resistance value is changed by physically moving the contactor. Variable resistors also include rotary types called rotary volumes and potentiometers. The main difference is that the slide potentiometer moves horizontally in one direction, whereas these move the contactor in the rotational direction.
Slide potentiometers can also be structurally designed to handle more power than rotary ones.
Typical applications for slide potentiometers include audio mixers and graphic equalizers in PA (public address) equipment, and dimmers to control room lighting. Whether a slide potentiometer or a rotary type, the function as a variable resistor is the same, but the appearance and the user's sense of operation are very different.
Therefore, they are selected according to the usage and outfit (design) envisioned when developing devices and products. In particular, by adding a memory next to the slide pick, the amount of setting can be visually grasped, so it is often utilized for applications such as adjusting volume or light intensity.
When the position of the slide potentiometer pick is moved, the resistance value between the terminal connected to one end of the resistive element and the terminal connected to the conductor connected by the contactor changes according to the distance from the end of the resistive element to the contactor. This allows the resistance value to be changed according to the position of the plucking.
A slide potentiometer has a resistive element of a certain length, covered by a body case, with terminals at both ends of the resistive element for connection. There is a slit in the body case where a plucking tool can slide, and a plucking tool with a contactor attached is placed there.
In parallel with the resistive element, there is a conductor in the case, and the contactor is in contact with both the resistive element and the conductor. The conductor is also equipped with terminals, and together with the terminals on both ends of the resistor, it has a structure with three terminals.
A slide potentiometer changes its resistance according to the position of the pick, and the degree of change in resistance relative to that distance can be expressed as one of the three curves shown in ABC. When a voltage is applied to both ends of the resistive element and the position of the contactor is varied, a voltage appears between the terminal on one side of the resistive element and the terminal connected to the conductor connected by the contactor.
Therefore, it is important to decide in advance at the design stage which characteristic to use.
Among slide potentiometers, those used for small signals often have carbon or metal film resistive elements and are not suitable for high power applications. Rotating resistors, in particular, are structurally disadvantageous for using large resistive elements because the length of the resistive element is limited by its diameter.
Slide potentiometers, however, are less restricted in terms of resistive element length. Some product groups use enameled resistors for resistive elements or wire-wound resistors with resistive wires wound on rods, and these are available in power ratings from tens to hundreds of watts.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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SparkFun Electronics is a manufacturer of modernized and cutting-edge electronic components and tools founded in 2003 and was established in USA. The company broad selection of goods includes sensors, development boards, kits, and modules for both experts and enthusiasts. Quality is crucial at SparkFun Electronics, and they work hard to satisfy their clients. They stand out for their adherence to open-source hardware and wealth of instructional resources, which enables them to support a thriving and cooperative community of makers and innovators.
Bourns, Inc. is a family-owned company founded in 1947 and currently headquartered in Riverside, California. Bourns is a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of electronic components for several industries including automotive, industrial, instrumentation, medical, consumer, and portable electronics. Bourns operates in 4 market segments: automotive, circuit protection, power conversion, and sensing. The automotive segment produces sensors for almost every use in vehicles including steering, stability, fuel management, and temperature control. Power conversion segment products are used in renewable energy and automotive power. Sensing products are also used in heavy equipment, medical equipment, and welding equipment.
CTS Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. CTS is a manufacturer and distributor of sensors, actuators, and various connectivity components to telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and other high-speed applications such as the aerospace and medical markets. CTS operates in 3 primary market segments: Sense, Connect, and Move. The Sense market segment includes controls such as potentiometers, pedals, sensors, and switches. The Connect segment includes various types of resistors, capacitors, and frequency control products. The move segment includes piezoelectric move products, rotary actuators, and thermal products including ZIF PC board retainers and heatsinks.
Soundwell Electronic Products (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., founded in 1991 with headquarters in China, is a manufacturer of electromechanical components. The company’s product line of over 30,000 items includes a wide selection of potentiometers, encoders, sensors, and switches that are used in the manufacture of consumer electronics, home appliances, electronic toys, and automotive electronics, among many other fields. Soundwell caters primarily to OEM clients and also offers a number of customizable modules available for production on demand.
Taiwan Alpha Electronic, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic components and customizable sensor solutions. Their product offerings include force sensors used in industrial automation, medical devices, and automotive applications, position sensors utilized in machine tools, robots, and conveyors, proximity sensors for detecting object presence in various industries, and temperature sensors applied in industrial automation, medical devices, and automotive sectors. Additionally, Taiwan Alpha Electronic provides custom-designed sensors to meet specific customer needs. Their products are widely used in industries such as industrial automation, medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics.
Song-Huei Electric Co. Ltd. is a variable resistor manufacturer established in 1981 and based in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In 2002, the company initiated a technological cooperation with Tokyo Ko-On Denpa Co., Ltd., resulting in its role as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for various Tokyo Ko-On Denpa products such as DJVR, fader, and voice-controlled potentiometers. Its Nano technology allows the fader's lifespan to exceed 1,000,000 cycles. The company is certified with ISO-9000 standard and has established its facility in Guang Dong Province, South China, under the name of San Fa Electronic Co., Ltd.
Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (TTKC) is a Japanese electronic component manufacturer headquartered in Kanagawa. Established in 1944, the company initially specialized in wireless communication parts before expanding to the distribution and production of various sensors, potentiometers, switches, and resistors under the brand name Noble Electronics. The company has several sales outlets throughout Japan, as well as overseas offices in the US, China, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. From their many manufacturing locations, TTKC allows clients to customize products used in a range of applications, including industrial equipment, home appliances, A/V equipment, and health care.
Semelab, established in 1989 and headquartered in Paris, France, is a manufacturer and supplier of connectors and cable assemblies. Their comprehensive product range includes a range of connectors, such as board-to-board, cable, and high-speed connectors, catering to diverse applications in telecommunications, industrial automation, and medical devices. Additionally, Semelab offers various cable assemblies, including custom and pre-terminated cable assemblies, facilitating seamless electronic device connections. Precision components like precision pins, sockets, and ferrules are also available. Semelab's products are adopted in telecommunications, industrial automation, medical devices, and test equipment industries, providing dependable and accurate interconnect solutions.
Adafruit Industries, established in 2005, is an American manufacturer based in New York, specializing in electronics and do-it-yourself (DIY) electronics kits. The company offers a diverse array of products, including breakout and development boards, circuit playgrounds, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), robotics, computer numerical control (CNC) components, and various electronics project accessories. Adafruit also supports open-source hardware and software, hosting all of its code and hardware on GitHub, a website service for managing code and files. Adafruit also provides a range of tutorials, guides, and project ideas aimed at inspiring and educating electronics enthusiasts, makers, and hobbyists in creating interactive electronic projects.
Canal Components Inc. is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company is a distributor of quality electrical and mechanical components to customers worldwide. The company sources from suppliers in China and Taiwan as well as perform in-house production in its ISO 9001-certified factories providing product testing. The company’s product categories include switches, sockets, fuses, and other component parts. The company also has a line of waterproof and washable electronic parts. The company bridges communication between suppliers and customers and encourages inquiries from customers about products.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. |
17.6%
|
2 | Bourns, Inc |
14.7%
|
3 | Dongguan TianQian Electronics Co., Ltd |
8.8%
|
4 | Adafruit |
8.8%
|
5 | Taiwan Alpha Electronic Co., Ltd. |
8.8%
|
6 | ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD |
5.9%
|
7 | Canal Components Inc. |
5.9%
|
8 | CTS Corporation |
5.9%
|
9 | TT Electronics |
5.9%
|
10 | Song Huei Electric Co., Ltd. |
5.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the slide potentionmeter page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 37.5% |
Taiwan | 3 | 37.5% |
China | 1 | 12.5% |
Japan | 1 | 12.5% |
8 products are listed.
Swallow wireless Co., Ltd.
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Slide Volume. There are three types: ultra -thin single slide 8m/m metal case type, 10m/m metal case Habasema type, 10.15m/m.