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

6445 Products showing for Variable Resistors

18 of 323
In Stock
Vishay 357 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 357B2203MAB251S22
  • RS Stock No. 460-7469
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B2203MAB251S22
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 274,56(exc. VAT)
Kr. 274,56/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, B8033068
  • RS Stock No. 283-2141
  • Mfr. Part No. B8033068
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 91,32(exc. VAT)
Kr. 91,32/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 167-3377
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
Kr. 775,65(exc. VAT)
Kr. 15,513/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity 23 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 164-5241
  • Mfr. Part No. 23ESA223MMF50NF
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
Kr. 11 484,80(exc. VAT)
Kr. 57,424/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 534 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Bush, 534-1-1-203
  • RS Stock No. 850-9805
  • Mfr. Part No. 534-1-1-203
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 463,43(exc. VAT)
Kr. 463,43/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay P11S 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8875
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00503KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
Kr. 8 813,40(exc. VAT)
Kr. 146,89/unit
In Stock
Vishay PE30 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8699
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL102KAB
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
Kr. 3 712,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 371,205/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK097 100 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK0971110700
  • RS Stock No. 172-8088
  • Mfr. Part No. RK0971110700
Subtotal (1 tray of 80 units)
Kr. 2 064,24(exc. VAT)
Kr. 25,803/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P25 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7107
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 260,95(exc. VAT)
Kr. 260,95/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 521-9726
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-204LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 21,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,05/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-5995
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 98,04(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,804/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 107-862
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 137,28(exc. VAT)
Kr. 13,728/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK097 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 729-3505
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09712200HA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 60,40(exc. VAT)
Kr. 60,40/unit
In Stock
Allen Bradley 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang, 800FP-POT6
  • RS Stock No. 536-5065
  • Mfr. Part No. 800FP-POT6
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 940,94(exc. VAT)
Kr. 940,94/unit
In Stock
Bourns 96 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 475-667
  • Mfr. Part No. 96R1A-R16-A15L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
Kr. 5 124,87(exc. VAT)
Kr. 113,886/unit
In Stock
Lovato LPCPA 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, LPCPA010
  • RS Stock No. 224-7363
  • Mfr. Part No. LPCPA010
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 786,73(exc. VAT)
Kr. 786,73/unit
Last RS stock
Vishay PE30 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FR103MAB
  • RS Stock No. 283-6414
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR103MAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 544,24(exc. VAT)
Kr. 544,24/unit
In Stock
Bourns PDB241-GTR 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PDB241-GTR03-504A2
  • RS Stock No. 770-3080
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB241-GTR03-504A2
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 43,47(exc. VAT)
Kr. 43,47/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Sifam 29 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer with Knob for 6 mm Shaft Axial, 9333
  • RS Stock No. 225-760
  • Mfr. Part No. 9333
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 167,25(exc. VAT)
Kr. 167,25/unit
In Stock
Eaton M30C 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 187038 M30C-FR1K-BLANK
  • RS Stock No. 274-1149
  • Mfr. Part No. 187038 M30C-FR1K-BLANK
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 849,25(exc. VAT)
Kr. 849,25/unit
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