rheostat

/'ri:əstæt/

Thân thiện

The student adjusts the rheostat in the physics lab.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A variable resistor for regulating current: A rheostat is an electrical component designed to adjust the amount of current flowing through a circuit by varying its resistance. It typically consists of a coil of wire or a carbon track and a sliding contact (wiper).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The laboratory experiment required a rheostat to control the brightness of the lamp.
  • He adjusted the rheostat to increase the motor's speed.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In electronics, a rheostat is specifically configured as a two-terminal device, where the wiper and one end of the resistive element are connected into the circuit to provide variable resistance.
  • The circuit design used a rheostat in series with the load to limit the current.

Variants and Related Words

• Potentiometer (n): A similar three-terminal device that can function as a variable resistor (rheostat) or as a voltage divider. While often used interchangeably in casual speech, a potentiometer has three connections, whereas a rheostat typically uses two.
  • For simple current control, he wired the potentiometer as a rheostat.

Synonyms

• Variable resistor: A general term for any resistor whose electrical resistance can be adjusted.
• Dimmer: A device, often containing a rheostat or similar component, used specifically to control the intensity of light.

Related Phrases (Technical Terms)

• To wire as a rheostat: To connect a three-terminal potentiometer so that it functions as a two-terminal variable resistor.
  • You can wire this potentiometer as a rheostat by using only the wiper and one end terminal.

Học thuật

Noun

1. resistor for regulating current

Từ đồng nghĩa

• variable resistor