A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. Potentiometers are commonly used to control electrical signals, such as volume or brightness. They can also be used as sensors to measure the position of a mechanical system.
To hook up a potentiometer, you will need to connect the three terminals to a power source and a load. The power source can be a battery, a power supply, or another voltage source. The load can be a resistor, a light bulb, or another electrical device.