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 Electrical Specifications

-Life Cycle: >1 million -Resistance - Standard: 10k Ohms
-Height: 0.51mm (0.020") (lengths >300mm = 20k Ohms)
-Actuation Force (with a 10mm wide active cavity): -Resistance - Custom: 1k to 100k Ohms
-40°C 0.8 to 1.8 N -Resistance Tolerance: ±20%
-25°C 0.8 to 1.8 N -Effective Electrical Travel: 8 to 2000mm
+23°C 0.6 to 1.5 N -Linearity (Independent): Linear ±1% & 3%
+50°C 0.6 to 1.5 N Rotary ±3% & 5%
-Repeatability: No hysteresis, but with any wiper
Environmental Specifications looseness some hysteresis will occur
-Power Rating (depending on size, varies with
-Operating Temperature: -40°C to +50°C length and temperature): 1 Watt max. @ 25°C,
-Humidity: No affect @ 95% RH, 4hrs 50°C 0.5 Watt recommended
-IP Rating of Active Area: IP65 -Resolution: Analog output theoretically infinite;
affected by variation of contact wiper surface
area.
-Dielectric Value: No affect @ 500VAC for 1
minute

Dimensional Diagram - Stock Linear SoftPot

PART LENGTH [P]

ACTIVE LENGTH [A] 10.16 [0.400]
TAIL WIDTH

PIN 1

20.32 [0.800] 6.60 [0.260]

7.11 [0.280] TAIL LENGTH [T]
ACTIVE WIDTH 7.93 [0.312]

12.50mm 25.00mm 50.00mm 100.00mm 150.00mm 170.00mm 200.00mm 300.00mm 400.00mm 500.00mm 750.00mm 1000.00mm
A
0.492" 0.984" 1.969" 3.937" 5.906" 6.693" 7.874" 11.811" 15.748" 19.685" 29.528" 39.370"
28.36mm 40.86mm 65.86mm 115.86mm 165.86mm 185.86mm 215.86mm 315.86mm 415.86mm 515.86mm 765.86mm 1015.86mm
P
1.117" 1.609" 2.593" 4.562" 6.531" 7.318" 8.499" 12.436" 16.373" 20.310" 30.153" 39.995"
12.70mm 24.89mm
T
0.500" 0.980"

spectrasymbol.com Rev F2 - Page 1 (888) 795-2283

 Electrical Schematic Material Cross-Section

PIN 3 (GND)
(LEFT BUS BAR)
0.41 [0.016] CIRCUIT
PIN 2
(COLLECTOR)
0.05 [0.002] 3M 200MP ADHESIVE
PIN 1 (V+) 0.46 [0.018] TOTAL THICKNESS
10K or 20K (RIGHT BUS BAR)

How to Order - Linear SoftPots

SP L 0050 103 3% ST

Series Model Active Length Resistance Connectors

SP = SoftPot L = Linear 0012 = 12,5mm Active Lengths < 300mm ST = Solder Tab
0025 = 25mm 103 = 10 KOhm MP = Male Pins
0050 = 50mm Active Lengths > 300mm RH = Receptacles w/Plain Housing
0100 = 100mm 203 = 20 KOhm RL = Receptacles w/Latch Housing
0150 = 150mm RD = Receptacles w/Detent Housing
0170 = 170mm B = FCI/Berg Clincher
0200 = 200mm
0300 = 300mm Ind. Linearity
0400 = 400mm
0500 = 500mm 1% = ±1%
0750 = 750mm 3% = ±3%
1000 = 1000mm
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)

spectrasymbol.com Page 2 (888) 795-2283

 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 [email protected] 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.

spectrasymbol.com Page 3 (888) 795-2283

 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 M1 01 03 014 DI

Series Thread Pitch Min. Force Max. Force Threaded Body Tip Material
Length
WP = Wiper M1 = M1.0 01 = 1 Newton 03 = 3 Newtons 014 = 14mm DI = Delrin

spectrasymbol.com Page 4 (888) 795-2283

 Diagram - Stock Rotary SoftPot

10.01 [0.394] Ø65.74 [Ø2.588]

ACTIVE WIDTH OUTSIDE PERIMETER

Ø25.40 [Ø1.000]
THRU HOLE
Ø45.57 [Ø1.794]
(CENTER OF TRACK)
10.16 [0.400]
353°
ACTIVE
ANGLE PIN 1

5.08 [0.200]

5.08 [0.200]

111.88 [4.405]

Electrical Schematic Material Cross-Section

PIN 3 (GND)
(LEFT BUS BAR)
0.41 [0.016] CIRCUIT
PIN 2
(COLLECTOR)
0.05 [0.002] 3M 200MP ADHESIVE
PIN 1 (V+) 0.46 [0.018] TOTAL THICKNESS
10K (RIGHT BUS BAR)

How to Order - Rotary SoftPot

SP R 0046 0353 103 5% ST

Center of
Series Model Active Angle Resistance Connectors
Active Track
SP = SoftPot R = Rotary 0046 = 45.57mm 0353 = 353° 103 = 10 KOhm ST = Soldertab
MP = Male Pins
RH = Receptacles w/Plain Housing
Ind. Linearity
RL = Receptacles w/Latch Housing
3% = ±3% RD = Receptacles w/Detent Housing
5% = ±5% B = FCI/Berg Clincher

spectrasymbol.com Page 5 (888) 795-2283