Wordalso written rheostats

rheostat

Meaning

A rheostat is an adjustable resistor used to control electric current by changing resistance. Rheostats is its plural.

How “rheostat” is used

A variable resistor whose resistance can be changed to adjust current in an electrical circuit.123

Tone
Technical, electrical engineering.
Where you’ll see it
Dictionary.com explains that resistance can be changed without opening the circuit. Common applications described by Britannica include dimming lights and controlling motor speed.

Examples

  • Original illustrative example: The technician adjusted the rheostat to reduce the current.
  • Original illustrative example: The lab kept several rheostats for circuit demonstrations.

Examples are written for this site to show typical use. They are not quotes.

Usage notes

  • What does rheostats mean? It is the regular plural of rheostat, not a separate kind of component.
  • A rheostat is a type of variable resistor. In the usual rheostat connection, one end of the resistive element and the movable contact, or wiper, are used to vary resistance in series with a load.
  • A potentiometer normally uses both ends of the resistive element plus the wiper as a three-terminal voltage divider. A potentiometer can also be connected as a rheostat, but that does not make every potentiometer suitable for the same load current or power. The distinction concerns use and wiring as well as component ratings.
  • This is a word definition, not instructions for wiring or selecting an electrical component. All examples are original illustrations.

Origin

Origin not verified.

Sources

  1. rheostat, Dictionary.com

    dictionary.comAccessed Back to text

    https://www.dictionary.com/browse/rheostat

  2. rheostat, Encyclopaedia Britannica

    britannica.comAccessed Back to text

    https://www.britannica.com/technology/rheostat

  3. A Complete Guide To Rheostats, Ohmite

    ohmite.comAccessed Back to text

    https://www.ohmite.com/guide-to-rheostats/