Out in Front: September 2, 1996

The Finite Position Potentiometer (FPP) from Spectrol Electronics Corp has an operating life that exceeds 15 million cycles. Moreover, it has the ability to work in dirty environments and at temperatures as high as 200°C. The FPP uses a silver-in-glass matrix wiping surface with individual contact bars skewed so that the hoe-shaped contacts are always in contact with at least one conductor bar.

The conductor bars contact the resistance element in a series of voltage taps. The output of the FPP takes the form of a staircase, with increments depending on the resolution of the particular model (the more conductor bars, the smaller the step). The FPP is designed to replace noncontacting sensors (eg, optical encoders) in harsh-environment systems, such as automotive applications. $8 (1000).

—by Bill Travis

Spectrol Electronics Corp, On-tario, CA. (909) 923-3313.