To check the continuity and overall health of a potentiometer using a multimeter, follow these steps:

Tools Needed

Terminals of a Potentiometer

Step-by-Step Test Procedure

Acceptable Results

Common Failures

Tips

By following these steps, i always verify the potentiometer is working condition or not and you can also verify if your potentiometer is functional or needs replacement using my following method.

At first test at multiple shaft positions to catch intermittent faults.

Use resistance mode for accuracy; continuity mode is only reliable for near-0Ω checks.

For audio/log pots, ensure smooth resistance changes without "crackling" in readings.

Noisy operation: Erratic readings → often due to dirt (clean with contact spray if accessible).

Dead spots: Resistance jumps to infinity during rotation → dirty/worn track.

Open circuit: Infinite resistance at any point → replace pot.

No shorts to casing.

A to W & B to W: Resistance changes smoothly from 0Ω to total resistance (or vice versa) with no dropouts.

A to B: Stable resistance ≈ rated value.

Issue: Beep indicates a short to ground (defective if unintended).

Expected: No beep (infinite resistance).

Touch one probe to the metal casing and the other to each terminal.

Set multimeter to continuity mode.

Check for Shorts to Casing (If Applicable)

Smooth transition.

At maximum position: Near 0Ω (beep in continuity mode).

At minimum position: Near total resistance.

Expected:

Rotate the shaft fully.

Place one probe on Terminal 3 (B) and the other on Wiper (W).

Repeat Test (Terminals B to W)

Erratic jumps/spikes: Dirty/cracked resistive track.

Infinite resistance (OL): Wiper lost contact (open circuit).

Issue:

Smooth, gradual change in resistance as you turn.

At maximum position: Near total resistance (e.g., ≈10kΩ).

At minimum position: Near 0Ω (multimeter beeps in continuity mode).

Expected:

Slowly rotate the potentiometer shaft from min to max.

Place one probe on Terminal 1 (A) and the other on Wiper (W).

Test Wiper Connection (Terminals A to W)

Zero resistance: Short circuit (defective).

Infinite resistance (OL): Open circuit (broken track).

Issue:

Expected: Reading should match the pot's rated value (e.g., ≈10kΩ for a 10kΩ pot).

Place probes on Terminal 1 (A) and Terminal 3 (B).

Check Total Resistance (Terminals A to B)

Alternatively, use resistance mode (Ω) for precise readings (e.g., 20kΩ range for a 10kΩ pot).

Turn the dial to continuity mode (if available) for audible beeps on low resistance.

Set Multimeter to Continuity/Resistance Mode

Terminal 2 (W): Wiper (moving contact).

Terminal 1 (A) & Terminal 3 (B): Fixed outer terminals (total resistance).

Digital multimeter (set to continuity mode (beep symbol) or resistance mode (Ω))