Patent attributes
A variable potentiometer with a wiper terminal and first and second terminals has relay switches for shorting or for unshorting resistors. When resistance is reduced between the wiper and one of said terminals, resistance is increased between the wiper and another terminal. In one embodiment two strings of resistors with the same nominal values are used between the wiper and the terminals. In another embodiment, a single string of resistors are used and are switched into either the electrical connection between the wiper and the first terminal or between the wiper and the second terminal. When resistance is lowered between the wiper and one of said first or second terminals a first resistor is replaced with a first short circuit and when resistance is increased between said wiper and another of said first and second terminals a second short circuit is replaced with the first resistor.