Can a 125mw dual gang pot handle 10w audio output?

I want to build balance control for two audio amplifier circuits, and I want to use dual gang pot.

I want to know if I connected it directly to the outputs of the two audio amplifiers circuit then to the speakers if the the resistance go to about 0 ohm will it be ok for 10W output.

• Wouldn't you be better off connecting it to the amplifier inputs? – HandyHowie Feb 8 at 14:03
• I don't know I connected volume control to amplifier inputs but I want to know what will happen in this case – Romyo Feb 8 at 14:05
• 125mW = 0.125W... – rdtsc Feb 8 at 14:06
• No, it'll burn out pretty rapidly. – pjc50 Feb 8 at 14:46
• If it drops the power down to 125mW you're kind of defeating the purpose of your amplifier, anyway. – Hearth Feb 8 at 15:54

• The maximum current the pot can handle is given by $$\ P = I^2 R \$$ which can be rewritten as $$\ I = \sqrt {\frac {P}{R}} \$$. If you choose, for example, a 100 Ω potentiometer then $$\ I = \sqrt {\frac {0.125}{100}} = 35 \ \text {mA}\$$.
• With an 8 Ω loudspeaker this would give you about $$\ P = I^2 R = 0.035^2 \times 8 = 0.01 \ \text W \$$ from you speaker.