Potentiometer Speaker Volume Control

Application

Use this circuit to see how a potentiometer can act as a simple volume control before a speaker or amplifier input.

Design Context

The source feeds the top of the potentiometer, the wiper drives the loudspeaker, and the lower terminal returns to ground.

Expected Behavior

The table updates to the current steady-state operating point as the potentiometer position changes. Moving the wiper changes Vspk and Ispk.

Key Values

• VDRIVE is a 5 V equivalent drive source.
• RV1 is a 1 k potentiometer at 50% by default.
• SPK1 is an 8 ohm load from the wiper node to return.

Suggested Experiments

• Change RV1 position from 0% to 100%.
• Increase the potentiometer resistance to reduce loading.
• Compare Vdrive and Vspk in the table.

Featured Component

The loudspeaker is the load whose delivered voltage and current change as the volume control is adjusted.