Variable resistor(potentiometer)?

Question

I am new to this component and i see there are three legs so im a bit confused where to connect the third leg(middle one) I want to connect it onto a breadboard to adjust the brightness of an LED I have tried using an Led and a resistor.Please tell me where connect what in detail.

Answer 1

Normally, the middle pin(leg) is the wiper. The two others are fixed. You can connect the middle pin to the LED and one of the other pins to the supply. Leave the other pin not connected or short it to the middle pin.

Sometimes, the middle pin is not the wiper. If you have an ohm meter, test it. Connect the probes to any two pins then turn the potentiometer. See if the meter moves. It it moves, use these two pins.