The potentiometer requires a stable DC excitation voltage. Do not exceed 15 volts. When the potentiometer wiper is in the 5° deadband region, the output signal is "floating" and may show varying or unpredictable values. To prevent false readings, signal conditioning electronics should clamp the signal to excitation or reference level when this occurs. NOTE: Young signal conditioning devices clamp the signal to excitation level. Avoid a short circuit between the wind direction signal line and either the excitation or reference lines. Although there is a 1K ohm current limiting resistor in series with the wiper for protection, damage to the potentiometer may occur if a short circuit condition exists.