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The use of linear potentiometers as position sensors for distance measurement is a common principle in a variety of application fields. These position measuring systems combine simple design with the highest precision (linearity up to 0.05% of the MB).
The linear potentiometers work as a simple voltage divider. Here is a sliding contact on a resistance track, which changes the resistance in the circuit depending on the position. This change is proportional to the traveling path. The position of the test object is determined from the voltage drop.