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rheostat |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Hutchinson | 0.01 sec. |
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rheostat (rē`əstăt'), device whose resistance to electric current depends on the position of some mechanical element or control in the device. Typically a rheostat consists of a resistance element equipped with two contacts, or terminals, by which it is attached to a circuit: a fixed contact at one end and a sliding contact that can be moved along the resistance element. Electric current enters and leaves the resistance element through the contacts. By moving the sliding contact toward or away from the fixed contact, the length of the resistance element through which the current travels can be decreased or increased. In this way the current through the circuit can be increased or decreased. Rheostats are widely used for such purposes as controlling the speed of electric motors and dimming electric lights, but they have been replaced in many applications by systems based on semiconductor devices that waste far less power. See potentiometer potentiometer. 1 Manually adjustable, variable, electrical resistor. It has a resistance element that is attached to the circuit by three contacts, or terminals. ..... Click the link for more information. . rheostatSee potentiometer. rheostat a variable resistance, usually consisting of a coil of wire with a terminal at one end and a sliding contact that moves along the coil to tap off the current rheostat [′rēยทə‚stat] (electricity) A resistor constructed so that its resistance value may be changed without interrupting the circuit to which it is connected. Also known as variable resistor. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| AC wound-rotor drives with liquid rheostats (resistors for regulating a current by means of variable resistances) have primarily been installed and maintained by companies such as Mueller Engineering. Operator controls include conveyor and knife timers, speed rheostats, heat controllers, conveyor and knife timers, etc. With this special arrangement the main-dial current flows though indicator A into the main-dial resistor at tap point 1, out at the slider S, back to the dry cell through the thee regulating rheostats marked "fine", "int. |
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