rheostat
Variable resistance device
A rheostat is an adjustable resistor used to control electrical current by varying resistance—essentially a dimmer for electricity.
The classic form has a coil of wire with a sliding contact that determines how much resistance the current encounters.
Rheostats once controlled everything from stage lighting to early radio volume; most have been replaced by solid-state electronics, though the word persists in technical contexts.
Adjustable electronic resistance component
- wiperGlass-clearing blade
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- coilWound circular arrangement
- woundCoiled, or an injury
trimmer · taper · terminal · contact · knob · dial · shaft · housing
Capacity to withstand force
- ohmsResistance measurement units
- currentDirected flow of charge
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- amperageElectrical flow quantity
wattage · circuit · load · continuity · conductor · terminal · series circuit · voltage drop
Lamps illuminating performance spaces
- theaterVenue for live drama
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- industrialOf factories and production
- heating elementCurrent-to-warmth converter
incubator · train control · streetcar · electric vehicle · educational · demonstration
Decreasing in brightness
- brightness controlAdjusts light output level
- speed controlMechanism regulating velocity
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- fan speedRate of blade rotation
intensity · attenuation · throttling · ramping · fading · analog control · volume control
potentiometer
Adjustable electronic resistance component
wound · trimmer · taper · terminal · contact · knob · dial · shaft · housing · ceramic
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- ohmsResistance measurement units
- currentDirected flow of charge
- voltageElectrical potential difference
amperage · wattage · circuit · load · continuity · conductor · terminal · series circuit · voltage drop · current flow
stage lighting
Lamps illuminating performance spaces
- theaterVenue for live drama
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- industrialOf factories and production
heating element · incubator · train control · streetcar · electric vehicle · educational · demonstration
dimming
Decreasing in brightness
- brightness controlAdjusts light output level
- speed controlMechanism regulating velocity
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
fan speed · intensity · attenuation · throttling · ramping · fading · analog control · volume control
- controlsbutton, switch, dial, knob, lever
- lighting termsdimming, LED bulb, floodlight, brightening, incandescent bulb
- control devicesregulator, valve, thermostat, controller, switch
- electrical componentscapacitor, transistor, inductor, diode, fuse
- intensity controldimmer, volume knob, brightness slider, gain control, fader
- light controlslight switch, dimmer, dimmer switch, wall switch, toggle switch