18AR-11-R
AI

The **18AR-11-R** refers to a specific series of high-precision, multi-turn wirewound potentiometers, typically manufactured by companies like **Sakae** or similar precision component vendors. These are categorized as electromechanical components used for fine-tuning electrical resistance in analog circuits.
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### 1. Key Technical Specifications
The alphanumeric code "18AR-11-R" typically breaks down into specific physical and electrical characteristics:
| Feature | Specification | Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Type** | Multi-Turn Potentiometer | Allows for multiple 360° rotations (usually 10 turns) for high resolution. |
| **Standard Resistance** | 100Ω to 100kΩ | Common values available in this series. |
| **Tolerance** | ±5% (Standard) | The precision of the total resistance value. |
| **Linearity** | ±0.2% to ±0.3% | High accuracy in the relationship between shaft position and output voltage. |
| **Power Rating** | 2.0 Watts (at 40°C) | The maximum power the component can dissipate safely. |
| **Rotational Life** | ~1,000,000 cycles | Designed for long-term industrial use. |
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### 2. Physical Construction
* **Housing:** Usually made of reinforced plastic or aluminum for durability.
* **Shaft:** Stainless steel, designed for manual knobs or motorized control.
* **Element:** Precision wirewound resistive element. Wirewound elements are preferred over carbon for their lower noise and better temperature stability.
* **Terminals:** Usually three gold-plated or tin-plated lugs for soldering (Input, Output/Wiper, Ground).
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### 3. Pinout Configuration
In a standard 18AR-11-R potentiometer, the pins follow the universal potentiometer logic:
```markdown
1 [Terminal 1] ---- Low end of the resistor
2 [Terminal 2] ---- Wiper (Adjustable contact)
3 [Terminal 3] ---- High end of the resistor
```
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### 4. Common Applications
Due to its high precision and multi-turn nature, the 18AR-11-R is used in:
1. **Industrial Control Panels:** Setting exact motor speeds or temperatures.
2. **Medical Equipment:** Calibrating sensitive diagnostic sensors.
3. **Test & Measurement:** Used in laboratory power supplies to provide "Fine" voltage adjustment.
4. **Avionics:** Cockpit instrumentation and calibration.
- ⤷
What is the difference between a wirewound and a conductive plastic potentiometer?
- ⤷ How do I calculate the output voltage of this potentiometer in a voltage divider circuit?
- ⤷ Are there digital alternatives to the 18AR-11-R series?