A relatively simple devices --rotary position sensor

Potentiometer Transducers, sometimes called rotary position sensor, are relatively simple devices. One terminal of the precision rotary potentiometer is connected to a power source, and another is hooked up to a ground — a point with no voltage or resistance and which serves as a neutral reference point. The third terminal slides across a strip of resistive material. This resistive strip generally has a low resistance at one end, and its resistance gradually increases to a maximum resistance at the other end. The third terminal serves as the connection between the power source and ground, and it usually is operated by the user through the use of a knob or lever.