rheostats
Variable resistance devices
Rheostats are variable resistors used to control electrical current by adjusting resistance.
A sliding contact moves along a coil of wire, increasing or decreasing how much the current is impeded.
They were once common for dimming lights or controlling motor speed, though electronic controls have largely replaced them.
The old theater had rheostats for the stage lights.
Adjustable electronic resistance component
- dimmer switchLight level regulator
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- wiperGlass-clearing blade
- nichromeHeating element alloy
toroidal · rotary · trimmer · control knob · terminal · coil
Resistance measurement units
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- amperageElectrical flow quantity
- wattageElectrical output measure
- current flowMovement of electric charge
voltage drop · load · circuit · heat sink · overheating · power rating · tolerance · conductance
Decreasing in brightness
- speed controlMechanism regulating velocity
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- fan speedRate of blade rotation
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
intensity · volume · throttling · modulation · calibration · finetuning · gradual · stepless
potentiometer
Adjustable electronic resistance component
- dimmer switchLight level regulator
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- wiperGlass-clearing blade
nichrome · toroidal · rotary · trimmer · control knob · terminal · coil
ohms
Resistance measurement units
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- amperageElectrical flow quantity
- wattageElectrical output measure
current flow · voltage drop · load · circuit · heat sink · overheating · power rating · tolerance · conductance · electrical resistance
dimming
Decreasing in brightness
- speed controlMechanism regulating velocity
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- fan speedRate of blade rotation
brightness · intensity · volume · throttling · modulation · calibration · finetuning · gradual · stepless · continuous
- early electronicstelegraph, telephone, dynamo, electric motor, electric generator
- lab equipmentmicroscope, microscopes, beaker, beakers, test tube