potentiometer

[/pəˌtenʃiˈɑːmɪtər/]
nounmasculinepl: potentiometers
potenciômetro
1. An electronic instrument used to measure electric potential difference or voltage between two points in a circuit
The technician used a potentiometer to measure the voltage across the resistor.
O técnico usou um potenciômetro para medir a tensão através do resistor.
2. A variable resistor with three terminals, used to adjust the level of electrical current or voltage in a circuit
You can adjust the volume of the amplifier by turning the potentiometer.
Você pode ajustar o volume do amplificador girando o potenciômetro.
3. A device for measuring electromotive force by comparison with a known potential difference
A standard potentiometer is essential equipment in electrical laboratories.
Um potenciômetro padrão é um equipamento essencial em laboratórios elétricos.
The term 'potenciômetro' is universally recognized in technical and engineering communities in both Brazil and Portugal. In colloquial settings, particularly among non-technical audiences, the shortened form 'pot' is occasionally used in English-speaking countries, though this is less common in Portuguese-speaking regions where the full term is preferred for clarity.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
variable resistorrheostatvoltage dividerpot

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
potenciômetro
Standard term used in electronics and engineering contexts across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
potenciômetro
Common usage in technical and industrial sectors
São Paulo
potenciômetro
Widely used in manufacturing and electronics industries
Portugal
potenciómetro
European Portuguese spelling variant; same meaning and usage as Brazilian Portuguese

Related Words

resistorohmmetervoltmeterammetermultimetercircuitelectrical resistance
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