Painton rotary attenuator identification

[beatnik]

Hi everyone

I have salvaged a Painton stepped attenuator from an old BBC console and wanted to understand what it could be used for.

The attenuator is in 11 steps and there are 6 numbered terminals labeled in pairs for IN - OUT - COMMON

1-4 are labeled IN , 2-5 COMMON , 3-6 OUT

I have noted down some resistance readings

Pin1 to Pin3 : ccw 4.5K , cw 0R
Pin2 to Pin3 : ccw 5.6K , cw 10K
Pin1 to Pin2 : ccw 10K , cw 10K

Pin4 to Pin6 : open
Pin5 to Pin6 : open
Pin4 to Pin5 : ccw 0.5K , cw 5.07K

Pin5 to Pin3 : ccw 0.5K , cw 5K
Pin5 to Pin2 : ccw 5K , cw 5K
Pin5 to Pin1 : ccw 5K , cw 5K

Pin4 to Pin3 : ccw 1K , cw 10K
Pin4 to Pin2 : ccw 4.5K , cw 0R
Pin4 to Pin1 : ccw 5.6K , cw 10K


Would it be possible to understand what kind of attenuator and what sort of application it can be used for ?

Any help would be much appreciated

 

[beatnik]

Couple of pics