Is there a rule of thumb for sizing the protective resistor for a pot? 10%?

 

Is there a rule of thumb for sizing the protective resistor for a pot? 10%?

It all depends on the application. You design to what is needed.

 

Is there a rule of thumb for sizing the protective resistor for a pot? 10%?

You select the resistor to limit the current to no more the I = √(P/R) where P is the power rating of the pot and R is its total resistance (not the setting resistance).

 

You select the resistor to limit the current to no more the I = √(P/R) where P is the power rating of the pot and R is its total resistance (not the setting resistance).

Now I feel like an idiot. I always say "do the math".