David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO

Can Potentiometers Replace Hall Effect Sensors? Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO You’re designing something that matters—a control system, a robotics rig, a sliding mechanism, maybe even a medical device. You’re knee-deep in parts and datasheets, trying to pick the right sensor for position feedback. And the buzzword everyone throws around?   Hall effect.   […]

Durable, Affordable, or Precise: Choosing the Right Magnetic Position Sensor Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO In project management they say “good, fast or cheap–pick two, but never all three”. This concept, known as the Iron Triangle, gets at the idea of tradeoffs between the main factors of any given project. In engineering and manufacturing,

Micro Potentiometers Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO When talking about potentiometers, you might think of these applications: The linear and rotary potentiometers used in sound boards and volume knobs are for standard size applications. However, many applications have very restrictive size, space, and material requirements. This is why Spectra Symbol developed Micro Potentiometers which

Medical-Grade Position Sensors: EtO and Autoclave Sterilization Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO The need for the sterilization of tools and equipment is essential for the operation of many industries, but perhaps most importantly in the medical industry. Medical equipment is regularly exposed to harmful microorganisms and used by doctors and patients who may be

Potentiometer Symbol, Function, and Applications Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO The electrical symbol for potentiometer varies slightly by region. In both American and European standards, the potentiometer circuit symbol includes a resistor symbol with an arrow that points to the resistive path, indicating the a variable resistor. When examining the potentiometer schematic symbol or potentiometer wiring diagram, you’ll typically

A Quick Look at Different Types of Position Sensors Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO Our modern world relies heavily on position sensors. In fact, you probably wouldn’t be reading this without them since touch screens and computer mice use position sensors. Outside of phones and computers, you likely interact with dozens of position sensors

Potentiometer Wiring and Pinout: A Guide with Practical Examples Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO Understanding potentiometers and their wiring might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the pinouts and diagram, it will make much more sense. Whether you’re dimming an LED, adjusting volume, or fine-tuning other electrical outputs, learning how to wire a

Encoder vs Potentiometer Author: David Marriott, Spectra Symbol CEO Can a Potentiometer be used as an alternative to an Encoder? Yes, rotary or linear potentiometers can be used as alternatives to an encoder, but it depends on the specific application and requirements. Both potentiometers and encoders are used to measure position or displacement, but they