Features
- Linear Position Sensor
- IP65 Dust Proof, Water Proof (Intense Spray)
- Polyester Substrate
- 3M Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)
- Upon Request
- Male or Female Nicomatic or Berg
Connectors
- Wiper of 1-3 Newton Force to Actuate
Part
- Higher Temperature and/or Contactless
Options Available
Mechanical Specifications
-Life Cycle: >1 million
-Height: 0.51mm (0.020")
-Actuation Force (with a 10mm wide active cavity):
-40°C 0.8 to 1.8 N
-25°C 0.8 to 1.8 N
+23°C 0.6 to 1.5 N
+50°C 0.6 to 1.5 N
Electrical Specifications
-Resistance - Standard: 10k Ohms
(lengths >300mm = 20k Ohms)
-Resistance - Custom: 1k to 100k Ohms
-Resistance Tolerance: ±20%
-Effective Electrical Travel: 8 to 2000mm
-Linearity (Independent): Linear ±1% & 3%
Rotary ±3% & 5%
-Repeatability: No hysteresis, but with any wiper
looseness some hysteresis will occur
-Power Rating (depending on size, varies with
length and temperature): 1 Watt max. @ 25°C,
0.5 Watt recommended
-Resolution: Analog output theoretically infinite;
affected by variation of contact wiper surface
area.
-Dielectric Value: No affect @ 500VAC for 1
minute
Environmental Specifications
-Operating Temperature: -40°C to +50°C
-Humidity: No affect @ 95% RH, 4hrs 50°C
-IP Rating of Active Area: IP65
Dimensional Diagram - Stock Linear SoftPot
PART LENGTH [P]
ACTIVE LENGTH [A]
10.16 [0.400]
TAIL WIDTH
PIN 1
20.32 [0.800]
7.11 [0.280]
ACTIVE WIDTH
12.50mm
0.492"
28.36mm
1.117"
6.60 [0.260]
TAIL LENGTH [T]
7.93 [0.312]
A
P
T
25.00mm
0.984"
40.86mm
1.609"
50.00mm 100.00mm 150.00mm 170.00mm 200.00mm 300.00mm 400.00mm 500.00mm 750.00mm 1000.00mm
6.693"
29.528"
39.370"
1.969"
3.937"
5.906"
7.874"
11.811"
15.748"
19.685"
65.86mm
2.593"
115.86mm
4.562"
165.86mm
6.531"
185.86mm
7.318"
215.86mm
8.499"
315.86mm
12.436"
415.86mm
16.373"
515.86mm
20.310"
765.86mm
30.153"
1015.86mm
39.995"
12.70mm
0.500"
24.89mm
0.980"
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Electrical Schematic
PIN 3 (GND)
(LEFT BUS BAR)
Material Cross-Section
0.41 [0.016] CIRCUIT
0.05 [0.002] 3M 200MP ADHESIVE
0.46 [0.018] TOTAL THICKNESS
PIN 2
(COLLECTOR)
PIN 1 (V+)
10K or 20K
(RIGHT BUS BAR)
How to Order - Linear SoftPots
SP
Series
SP = SoftPot
L
Model
L = Linear
0050
Active Length
0012 = 12,5mm
0025 = 25mm
0050 = 50mm
0100 = 100mm
0150 = 150mm
0170 = 170mm
0200 = 200mm
0300 = 300mm
0400 = 400mm
0500 = 500mm
0750 = 750mm
1000 = 1000mm
103
Resistance
Active Lengths < 300mm
3%
ST
Connectors
103 = 10 KOhm
Active Lengths > 300mm
203 = 20 KOhm
ST = Solder Tab
MP = Male Pins
RH = Receptacles w/Plain Housing
RL = Receptacles w/Latch Housing
RD = Receptacles w/Detent Housing
B = FCI/Berg Clincher
Ind. Linearity
1% = ±1%
3% = ±3%
Standard Connector Options
Crimpflex Solder Tab (ST)
Crimpflex Short Male Pins (MP)
Crimpflex Female Receptacles with a
Plain Housing (RH)
Crimpflex Female Receptacles with a
Latch Housing (RL)
Crimpflex Female Receptacles
with a Detent Housing (RD)
FCI/Berg Clincher (B)
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Customization
Customize the size, shape, and even the number of tracks. Such custom requests, for example, can be: multiple
ganged sensors (up to 40 tracks); serpentine active area track; custom lengths 10mm-2000mm; custom rotary
diameters, etc. Feel free to contact Spectra Symbol with your custom request at sales@spectrasymbol.com or
(888)795-2283..
How It Works
In simple terms, the SoftPot membrane potentiometer is a resistive element, which comprises a conductive
resistor, a sealed encasement and a simple wiper assembly. A membrane potentiometer can also function as a
voltage divider.
The SoftPot is a three-wire system with two resistive output channels and an electrical collector channel.
Top Circuit (Collector)
Circuit Spacer
Bottom Circuit (Resistor)
Bottom Adhesive
By pressing a wiper down onto the top circuit the SoftPot produces the desired electrical output. The "wiper" is a
non-conductive mechanism that depresses the top circuit actuating the potentiometer from the outside of the
element. The top and bottom circuits are separated by 0.15mm (0.006") of spacer adhesive build-up and contact
between the circuit occurs by pressure (usually 1-3 Newtons) from the wiper on the top circuit, pushing down until
the top circuit connects with the bottom circuit to create a potentiometric output.
The construction of the wiper design can adapt to any application because most materials can serve as the wiper:
plastics, metals, sliders, rollers, wheels, etc. Also, the SoftPot can also be manually (hand) actuated.
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Wiper
Typical wiper materials are delrin, plastic injection molded products, metal rollers with back-loaded springs,
sliders attached to lead-screws, etc.
With small quantities, an off-the-shelf solution might be easier, while with
higher quantities or space limitations a custom wiper may be required.
The stock 1-3 Newton wiper is an excellent product for most applications. In case of unique applications,
extreme environment or cycle needs, it is recommended to seek the advice of the Spectra Symbol Design
Department. The selection of the correct wiper (material, form) can affect the life cycle and electrical output of
the SoftPot.
Stock Wiper
Mechanical Specifications
-Minimum Force: 1 Newton
-Maximum Force: 3 Newtons
-Tip Material: Delrin
-Thread Pitch: M1.0 (1mm)
Dimensional Diagram
6.00 [0.236]
1.00 [0.039]
14.00 [0.551]
16.00 [0.629]
Ø2.70 [Ø0.106]
How to Order - Stock Wiper
WP
Series
WP = Wiper
M1
Thread Pitch
M1 = M1.0
01
Min. Force
01 = 1 Newton
03
Max. Force
03 = 3 Newtons
014
Threaded Body
Length
014 = 14mm
DI
Tip Material
DI = Delrin
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Diagram - Stock Rotary SoftPot
10.01 [0.394]
ACTIVE WIDTH
Ø25.40 [Ø1.000]
THRU HOLE
Ø65.74 [Ø2.588]
OUTSIDE PERIMETER
Ø45.57 [Ø1.794]
(CENTER OF TRACK)
353°
ACTIVE
ANGLE
10.16 [0.400]
PIN 1
5.08 [0.200]
5.08 [0.200]
111.88 [4.405]
Electrical Schematic
PIN 3 (GND)
(LEFT BUS BAR)
Material Cross-Section
0.41 [0.016] CIRCUIT
0.05 [0.002] 3M 200MP ADHESIVE
0.46 [0.018] TOTAL THICKNESS
PIN 2
(COLLECTOR)
PIN 1 (V+)
10K
(RIGHT BUS BAR)
How to Order - Rotary SoftPot
SP
Series
SP = SoftPot
R
Model
R = Rotary
0046
Center of
Active Track
0046 = 45.57mm
0353
Active Angle
0353 = 353°
103
Resistance
103 = 10 KOhm
5%
ST
Connectors
Ind. Linearity
3% = ±3%
5% = ±5%
ST = Soldertab
MP = Male Pins
RH = Receptacles w/Plain Housing
RL = Receptacles w/Latch Housing
RD = Receptacles w/Detent Housing
B = FCI/Berg Clincher
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