Bourns Announces New Multiturn Precision Potentiometer "Slip Clutch" Option

Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that the company is now offering a new "slip clutch" option in specific multiturn potentiometers models. The slip clutch developed by Bourns for its Models 3547, 3548 and 3549 is designed as a safety feature that helps prevent damage to the potentiometer in applications where the full travel is used thereby increasing reliability and reducing potential service costs and system downtime. Bourns' multiturn potentiometers with the slip clutch are an optimal solution in mechanized or machine-to-machine applications such as linear actuators, cable transducers and mechanical position sensors where the mechanical actuator may occasionally rotate the shaft beyond the mechanical stops, or beyond the set number of turns.

Bourns® multiturn potentiometer slip clutch option is an internal design feature that does not alter the physical dimensions of the component. This new feature allows the device to idle at the extreme clockwise or counter-clockwise ends without inducing damage to the stops on the potentiometer.

"This unique and useful new feature was developed in response to requests from our industrial, medical and aerospace customers that have the requirement to protect multiturn potentiometers in the event that equipment goes out of calibration," said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc. "Bourns is the first to market with this new option and highlights our commitment to product innovation and continuous improvement based on customer feedback. This new option will provide our customers with a more reliable solution in mechanized applications, while providing our customers with added value."

As a pricing reference, the Model 3547 3-turn and Model 3548 5-turn precision potentiometer with slip clutch option is priced at $16.99-$18.31 in 1,000 piece quantities. The Model 3549 10-turn precision potentiometer with slip clutch option is priced at $14.44-$15.49 in 1,000 piece quantities. Hybritron® versions are also available at higher prices. Samples and production quantities of all three models with the new slip clutch option are available now.