QUESTION OF TERMS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 48, 15 June 1928, Page 13

QUESTION OF TERMS

VARIABLE OR ADJUSTABLE? Claiming that the term ‘variable resistor,’ which is now so widely associated with current and voltage-control nleyices for radio, is inaccurate and misteading, Leonard Kebler, president of \Ward Leonard Electric Co., in a recent letter to the Radio Manufacturers Association, asks that the use of the word ‘variable’ as applied to resistors should be abandoned by the radio trade. In his letter of protest, Mr. Kebler pamts out that ‘variable’? earries with it several meanings which are inexact and which tend to create in the mind of the buying public faults and shortfomings which are not common to properly-constructed resistors of this type. a Dictionary Definition. The term "adjustable resistor,’? ac‘cording to Mr, Kebler, can be employed more exactly and effectively by the radio trade as a whole in merchandising ‘this kind of resistances. The adjective "variable earrics with it the idea of

possible fluctuation and undesirable vhange once the conirol resistor is set. ‘at a definite point. A comparative definition of "adjustable? and "variable" from Webster’s New International Dictionary makes clear the distinction. "Variable: liable to vary; too susceptible to change; unsteady, inconstant’? ""Ndjustable: made exact; free from (liscrepatcies; brought into proper relatiou,"® Interpreting the two terms in even 1 loose sense, Mr. Kebler concludes, oue gathers that a variable resistor is one which is constantly changing in itself. An adjustable resistor is one in which the resistance value can be changed, but in which voltage and current characteristics remain constant for a given setting of resistance. Yet the ‘variable’ condenser has remained free of such imputations, and the ‘adjustable’? condenser has failed to take. If we were to coin a word, "setable’?? miglit do.