Lame Leg on Pot

[Phend]

Hello:
When using a potentiometer as a variable resistor..
What is the consensus on Not Connecting the Lame Leg to Leg 2, the wiper.
Or should they be connected?
Thanks for any conversation.

[ElectricDruid]

In theory, I don't like to have unconnected wires floating about, so connect it.

In practice, I've never had any problems from leaving it, so who cares?

On a PCB, I probably connect it. If I'm mucking about on a breadboard, I would probably never bother. And the breadboard should be the *worst* place to not connect it, right?

I leave you to draw your own conclusions from that train wreck of a post!

[antonis]

"Floating" resistors sometimes might act as antenas..

[PRR]

What happens when the wiper loses contact?

In some schemes, audio goes mute. In others, it goes full volume. Still others, audio goes to infinity. Tying the lame leg to wiper puts some upper limit on gain when open.

[Phend]

Murphy says my wipers Will lose contact, Will be an antenna, and My train Will wreck.
Thanks, Will connect.

[Rob Strand]

What happens when the wiper loses contact?

In some schemes, audio goes mute. In others, it goes full volume. Still others, audio goes to infinity. Tying the lame leg to wiper puts some upper limit on gain when open.

That's why I connect it.   When a pot gets crackly it's a *lot* less crackly.  Open pots can also damage stuff.