How to Calculate and Solve for Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition | Instrumentation

January 21, 2021April 24, 2024 Loveth Idoko

Last Updated on April 24, 2024

The image above represents potentiometer output voltage reading under unloaded condition. To calculate potentiometer output voltage reading under unloaded condition, three essential parameters are needed and these parameters are Input Displacement (x_i), Maximum Possible Displacement (x_T) and Input Voltage (v_i).

The formula for calculating potentiometer output voltage reading under unloaded condition:

v_o = ^x_i / _xT . v_i

Where:

v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading
x_i = Input Displacement
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement
v_i = Input Voltage

Let’s solve an example;
Find the potentiometer output voltage reading when the input displacement is 28, the maximum possible displacement is 14 and the input voltage is 7.

This implies that;

x_i = Input Displacement = 28
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement = 14
v_i = Input Voltage = 7

v_o = ^x_i / _xT . v_i
That is, v_o = ²⁸ / ₁₄ x 7
v_o = 2 x 7
v_o = 14

Therefore, the potentiometer output voltage reading is 14 V.

Calculating for Input Displacement when the Potentiometer Output Voltage, the Maximum Possible Displacement and the Input Voltage are Given

x_i = ^{v_o x x_T} / _{v_i}

Where:

x_i = Input Displacement
v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement
v_i = Input Voltage

Let’s solve an example;
Find the input displacement when the potentiometer output voltage reading is 5, the maximum possible displacement is 2, and the input voltage is 4.

This implies that;

v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading = 5
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement = 2
v_i = Input Voltage = 4

x_i = ^{v_o x x_T} / _{v_i}
So, x_i = ^{5 x 2} / ₄
x_i = ¹⁰ / ₄
x_i = 2.5

Therefore, the input displacement is 2.5 V.

Calculating for Maximum Possible Displacement when the Potentiometer Output Voltage, the Input Displacement and the Input Voltage are Given

x_T = ^{v_i x x_i} / _{v_o}

Where;

x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement
v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading
x_i = Input Displacement
v_i = Input Voltage

Let’s solve an example;

Find the maximum possible displacement when the potentiometer output voltage reading is 10, the input displacement is 8 and the input voltage is 2.

This implies that;

v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading = 10
x_i = Input Displacement = 8
v_i = Input Voltage = 2

x_T = ^{v_i x x_i} / _{v_o}
That is, x_T = ^{2 x 8} / ₁₀
x_T = ¹⁶ / ₁₀
x_T = 1.6

Therefore, the maximum possible displacement is 1.6 V.

Calculating for Input Voltage when the Potentiometer Input Displacement and the Maximum Possible Displacement are Given

v_i = ^{v_o x x_T} / _{x_i}

Where;

v_i = Input Voltage
v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading
x_i = Input Displacement
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement

Let’s solve an example;
Find the input voltage when the potentiometer output voltage reading is 12, the input displacement is 10 and the maximum possible displacement is 6.

This implies that;

v_o = Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading = 12
x_i = Input Displacement = 10
x_T = Maximum Possible Displacement = 6

v_i = ^{v_o x x_T} / _{x_i}
That is, v_i = ^{12 x 6} / ₁₀
v_i = ⁷² / ₁₀
v_i = 7.2

Therefore, the input voltage is 7.2 V.

How to Calculate Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition With Nickzom Calculator

Nickzom Calculator – The Calculator Encyclopedia is capable of calculating the Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition.

To get the answer and workings of the Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition using the Nickzom Calculator – The Calculator Encyclopedia. First, you need to obtain the app.

You can get this app via any of these means:

Web – https://www.nickzom.org/calculator-plus

To get access to the professional version via web, you need to register and subscribe for NGN 2,000 per annum to have utter access to all functionalities.
You can also try the demo version via https://www.nickzom.org/calculator

Android (Paid) – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nickzom.nickzomcalculator
Android (Free) – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nickzom.nickzomcalculator
Apple (Paid) – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nickzom-calculator/id1331162702?mt=8
Once, you have obtained the calculator encyclopedia app, proceed to the Calculator Map, then click on Materials and Metallurgical under Engineering.

Now, Click on instrumentation under Materials and Metallurgical

Now, Click on Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition under Instrumentation

The screenshot below displays the page or activity to enter your values, to get the answer for the Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition according to the respective parameters which is the Input Displacement (x_i), Maximum Possible Displacement (x_T) and Input Voltage (v_i).

Now, enter the values appropriately and accordingly for the parameters as required by the Input Displacement (x_i) is 28, Maximum Possible Displacement (x_T) is 14 and Input Voltage (v_i) is 7.

Finally, Click on Calculate

As you can see from the screenshot above, Nickzom Calculator– The Calculator Encyclopedia solves for the Potentiometer Output Voltage Reading under Unloaded Condition and presents the formula, workings and steps too.