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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183 of 327
In Stock
OKW 40 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A1040068
  • RS Stock No. 283-2014
  • Mfr. Part No. A1040068
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 94,74(exc. VAT)
Kr. 94,74/unit
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 14.5 mm, 020-3525 0.25 in, Black
  • RS Stock No. 243-9537
  • Mfr. Part No. 020-3525
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
Kr. 4 935,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 49,356/unit
In Stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2516060
  • RS Stock No. 283-2032
  • Mfr. Part No. A2516060
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 63,03(exc. VAT)
Kr. 63,03/unit
In Stock
Sifam 11.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined, TP110 006/13 BLACK/005
  • RS Stock No. 252-7041
  • Mfr. Part No. TP110 006/13 BLACK/005
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 58,23(exc. VAT)
Kr. 11,646/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob Cap 21 mm, Blue
  • RS Stock No. 243-9593
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-4040
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 23,10(exc. VAT)
Kr. 23,10/unit
In Stock
OKW 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 0.25 in Shaft Round Shaft, A3220009
  • RS Stock No. 283-2059
  • Mfr. Part No. A3220009
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 20,62(exc. VAT)
Kr. 20,62/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 467-5872
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 104,22(exc. VAT)
Kr. 10,422/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 12 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6856
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 128,93(exc. VAT)
Kr. 25,786/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 28 mm Knob Diameter Black, Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-7017
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 171,49(exc. VAT)
Kr. 34,298/unit
In Stock
OKW Blue Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A1101006
  • RS Stock No. 283-2016
  • Mfr. Part No. A1101006
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 16,26(exc. VAT)
Kr. 16,26/unit
In Stock
OKW 37.8 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A1438461
  • RS Stock No. 283-2028
  • Mfr. Part No. A1438461
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 130,68(exc. VAT)
Kr. 130,68/unit
In Stock
Sifam 11.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 4 mm Shaft Circular, SP111 004 BLACK
  • RS Stock No. 407-2425
  • Mfr. Part No. SP111 004 BLACK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 521,44(exc. VAT)
Kr. 52,144/unit
In Stock
OKW 23 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2523060
  • RS Stock No. 283-2037
  • Mfr. Part No. A2523060
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 71,88(exc. VAT)
Kr. 71,88/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 18 mm, K1-SH-S60 6 mm, Silver
  • RS Stock No. 243-9615
  • Mfr. Part No. K1-SH-S60
Subtotal (1 box of 40 units)
Kr. 5 993,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 149,838/unit
In Stock
Sifam 29.5 mm Knob Diameter Potentiometer Knob Cap, C291 VARIOUS
  • RS Stock No. 252-7034
  • Mfr. Part No. C291 VARIOUS
Subtotal (1 pack of 20 units)
Kr. 216,34(exc. VAT)
Kr. 10,817/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-6695
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 98,04(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,804/unit
Temporarily out of stock
OKW 40 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2540060
  • RS Stock No. 283-2040
  • Mfr. Part No. A2540060
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 98,27(exc. VAT)
Kr. 98,27/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 46.8 mm Knob Diameter Clear Potentiometer Dial for 24 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 468-0789
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 192,31(exc. VAT)
Kr. 19,231/unit
In Stock
OKW 50 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2550060
  • RS Stock No. 283-2041
  • Mfr. Part No. A2550060
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 118,89(exc. VAT)
Kr. 118,89/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 13 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 3.2 mm Shaft Circular, KN501BA1/8
  • RS Stock No. 783-0108
  • Mfr. Part No. KN501BA1/8
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 74,59(exc. VAT)
Kr. 74,59/unit
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