Stepped Attenuator Question

[Adam M.]

I don't know what forum this belongs in, but everyone here seems to use stepped attenuators...

Are they as simple as they seem, just a voltage divider made up of multiple resistors, where a switch moves between contact points where different resistance values are on each side of the connection, just like a potentiometer wiper works, only using fixed resistors instead of a coil of nichrome or similar wire? Let me know where this belongs if this is not the correct place.
Thanks.

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Essentially you are correct except that pots these days often have conductive plastic elements.

But it's not that simple of a DIY project. First, try to find a 2pole 31 position switch in single quantities at a reasonable price. Next, buy 2 each of the precision resistors. It's easier to buy one assembled. There is a thread which leads to someone who makes and sells them. Do a search. About $30 I believe.

Personally, I prefer an indented pot.

[Variac]

Click around on this site- you'll learn it all.
http://www.goldpt.com/
I have the switches, now I have to decide how to wire them.

Reports are that the 30-40 dollar ones from e-bay are noisy-make a popping sound .

[Nuuk]

12 postition stepped attenuators work well enough if you tailor the resistor values to your system.

And with a sensible choice of resistor (even plain vanilla metal films don't sound bad), you can knock one up for less than the price of an expensive pot!

More details on building a stepped attenuator HERE .