rheostat
/'ri:əstæt/
Definition
- 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.
Noun
-
resistor for regulating current
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