Variable Resistors

Browse our wide range of variable resistors including potentiometers, rheostats and thermistors from market leading electronics brands including Vishay, Bourns, EPCOS and RS Pro.

What are variable resistors and how do they work?

Variable resistors are electrical components that give you control over the current flow through an electric circuit. Variable resistors can be used in a variety of different types of devices, including the volume and gain control on electric instruments such as guitars and basses. The Variable resistors have a maximum and minimum value which can alter the current. Variable resistors are extremely important, without them you cannot control your circuit.

What does a variable resistor do in a circuit?

A variable resistor's role in a circuit is to allow the amount of resistance to be changed. When resistance decreases the flow of the current increases. There are different types of variable resistors that can be used for different functions and environments.

Types of resistors

The three most common types of variable resistors are:

  • Potentiometers The most common type of variable resistor is the potentiometers. The potentiometer can be used as a voltage regulator by introducing a variable amount of resistance into a circuit or as a means of adjusting the power in a circuit. Potentiometers can also be known as "pot" or, more specifically, slider pot, trimmer pot or thumbwheel pot.
  • Rheostat A rheostat is a variable resistor which is used to control current within an electrical circuit. They can control the resistance without interrupting it. Unlike the Potentiometer the Rheostat only uses 2 leads. A connection is made to one end of the resistive element and the other connection is made to the wiper end of the variable resistor. Rheostats are commonly used in motor control.
  • Trimmer Resistors Unlike other resistors, a trimmer resistor is a smaller component that is used to be placed within your circuit and not adjusted again. They are also known as trimpots.

Other types of variable resistors

include:

  • Ceramic Transient Voltage Suppressors
  • Metal Oxide Varistors
  • Potentiometer Accessories
  • Potentiometer Knob
  • Potentiometer Mounting Nuts
  • Rheostat Dials
  • Thermistors
  • Trimmer Resistor Adjustment Tools
  • Trimmer Resistor Mount Adapters
Potentiometer Accessories
Potentiometer Accessories
Potentiometer Knobs
Potentiometer Knobs
Potentiometers
Potentiometers
Rheostat Accessories
Rheostat Accessories
Rheostats
Rheostats
Trimmer Potentiometer Accessories
Trimmer Potentiometer Accessories
Trimmer Potentiometers
Trimmer Potentiometers

6522 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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145 of 327
In Stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Surface Mount 0.13 W Bourns, 3313
  • RS Stock No. 445-922
  • Mfr. Part No. 3313J-1-501E
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
Kr. 28,83(exc. VAT)
Kr. 14,415/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS Stock No. 653-018
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ203KR05
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
Kr. 45,76(exc. VAT)
Kr. 45,76/tape
Temporarily out of stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Through Hole Trimmer Resistor, PC Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Vishay, T18
  • RS Stock No. 789-159
  • Mfr. Part No. T18204KT10
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 32,83(exc. VAT)
Kr. 32,83/unit
Temporarily out of stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 738-008
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224G-1-102E
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 48,62(exc. VAT)
Kr. 48,62/unit
In Stock
10 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 1 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS Stock No. 185-965
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y100KB25
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 246,19(exc. VAT)
Kr. 246,19/unit
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS Stock No. 186-031
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y202KB25
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 673,82(exc. VAT)
Kr. 673,82/unit
Last RS stock
22 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 1 W Top Adjust TE Connectivity, PC910
  • RS Stock No. 186-198
  • Mfr. Part No. PC910 22K RS
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 62,38(exc. VAT)
Kr. 62,38/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Surface Mount 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, PVG5
  • RS Stock No. 445-962
  • Mfr. Part No. PVG5A501C03R00
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
Kr. 49,19(exc. VAT)
Kr. 24,595/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Board Resistor, Terminal Pure Sn (Code E3) 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, Model 63
  • RS Stock No. 789-140
  • Mfr. Part No. M63P103KB30T607
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 73,44(exc. VAT)
Kr. 73,44/unit
In Stock
50 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Plated 0.25 W Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 445-912
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266P-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
Kr. 61,65(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,825/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 125 mW Top Adjust Bourns, PTL
  • RS Stock No. 475-670
  • Mfr. Part No. PTL45-15O0-104B1
Subtotal (1 tray of 60 units)
Kr. 1 177,86(exc. VAT)
Kr. 19,631/unit
Currently unavailable
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 67
  • RS Stock No. 144-2055
  • Mfr. Part No. 67XR10KLF
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
Kr. 872,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 17,44/unit
Temporarily out of stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Through Hole Trimmer Resistor, PC Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 789-148
  • Mfr. Part No. T63YA503KT20
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 48,62(exc. VAT)
Kr. 48,62/unit
Last RS stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS Stock No. 425-353
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y103KR32
Subtotal (1 reel of 750 units)
Kr. 11 160,75(exc. VAT)
Kr. 14,881/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 738-042
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224G-1-203E
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 40,50(exc. VAT)
Kr. 40,50/unit
Temporarily out of stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Through Hole Trimmer Resistor, PC Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 789-153
  • Mfr. Part No. T63YA202KT20
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 30,43(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,43/unit
Last RS stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS Stock No. 425-347
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y501KR32
Subtotal (1 reel of 750 units)
Kr. 11 160,75(exc. VAT)
Kr. 14,881/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS Stock No. 653-026
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YL204KR05
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
Kr. 45,76(exc. VAT)
Kr. 45,76/tape
Last RS stock
500 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS Stock No. 425-362
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y504KR32
Subtotal (1 reel of 750 units)
Kr. 11 160,75(exc. VAT)
Kr. 14,881/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS Stock No. 425-368
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7X502KR10
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
Kr. 36,84(exc. VAT)
Kr. 36,84/tape
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