Measurement of Angular Dispalcement Using Potentiometer

Abstract

A potentiometer can be used to measure angular displacement by converting the rotational motion into a corresponding voltage change. This method involves using a rotary potentiometer, where the angle of rotation is directly proportional to the output voltage. The angular displacement is determined by the amount of rotation of the potentiometer’s shaft, which is then translated into a voltage reading.

Introduction

Angular displacement measurement is essential in many mechanical and electronic applications like robotics and automation. A rotary potentiometer is a popular, cost-effective sensor that converts angular shaft rotation into a variable electrical voltage by changing resistance along a resistive track. This voltage output correlates linearly with the angular position, allowing real-time analog measurement.

Potentiometers are widely used due to their simplicity and affordability but have limitations including mechanical wear, contact noise, hysteresis, and non-linearity, which affect long-term accuracy. Regular calibration is necessary to maintain reliable measurements. Although newer non-contact sensors (e.g., optical encoders, Hall-effect sensors) offer higher precision and durability, potentiometers remain relevant in basic applications where cost and simplicity matter.

The system design involves applying a fixed voltage across the potentiometer, reading the wiper voltage, and calibrating to convert voltage to angle. Typical hardware components include the potentiometer, power supply, Arduino microcontroller, and display unit. Calibration tests confirm a generally linear relationship with minor errors due to mechanical factors. Overall, rotary potentiometers offer a straightforward and economical method for angular displacement measurement, suitable for low to moderate precision tasks.

Conclusion

The experiment to measure angular displacement using a potentiometer successfully demonstrates how rotational motion can be converted into a measurable change in electrical resistance. As the shaft connected to the potentiometer rotates, the resistance varies proportionally, allowing the angular displacement to be determined accurately. The method is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for applications requiring precise measurement of angular position in control systems and robotics. However, factors such as mechanical wear, linearity of the potentiometer, and resolution should be considered for high-precision requirements.

References

Books: [1] R. K. Rajput, Electrical and Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation, S. Chand Publishing, 2015. [2] Covers measurement instruments and includes potentiometers as angular and linear displacement sensors. [3] A K. Sawhney, A Course in Electrical and Electronic Measurements and Instrumentation, Dhanpat Rai & Co., 2011 [4] Widely used textbook in engineering courses, detailing potentiometers for displacement measurement. [5] Jacob Fraden, Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications, Springer, 4th Ed., 2010. [6] Discusses sensor design and application, including rotary potentiometers as angular sensors. Research Articles: [7] M. M. Khan and M. R. Hossain, “Design and Implementation of a Low-Cost Potentiometer Based Angle Measurement System,” International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 123–126, 2015. [8] M. U. Rafique et al., “Low-Cost Angular Displacement Measurement Using a Potentiometer and Microcontroller,” International Journal of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 152–156, 2015.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Chinte Anjali, Gaikwad Dropadi, Poul Sakshi, Kirwale Gayatri , Prof. V. V. Sarwadnya . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.