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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185 of 327
In Stock
Vishay 43 mm Knob Diameter Black Rheostat Knob for 6 mm Shaft Cylindrical with Skirt
  • RS Stock No. 167-9972
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCRFBOUTON29JF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 5 847,44(exc. VAT)
Kr. 1 169,488/unit
In Stock
Sifam 21.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, S211 250BK
  • RS Stock No. 111-0704
  • Mfr. Part No. S211 250BK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 624,17(exc. VAT)
Kr. 62,417/unit
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 14.5 mm, 021-3425 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 243-9553
  • Mfr. Part No. 021-3425
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
Kr. 5 535,90(exc. VAT)
Kr. 55,359/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 0.25 in Shaft Round Shaft, B8633008
  • RS Stock No. 283-2143
  • Mfr. Part No. B8633008
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 41,41(exc. VAT)
Kr. 41,41/unit
In Stock
Sifam 21.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Pointer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Axial, P210BK
  • RS Stock No. 111-0984
  • Mfr. Part No. P210BK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 68,41(exc. VAT)
Kr. 6,841/unit
In Stock
Sifam Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Axial, 4/02 LK150 08
  • RS Stock No. 281-7226
  • Mfr. Part No. 4/02 LK150 08
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 37,18(exc. VAT)
Kr. 7,436/unit
In Stock
OKW White, Black Potentiometer Knob for 0.25 in Shaft Round Shaft, B8733201
  • RS Stock No. 283-2148
  • Mfr. Part No. B8733201
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 217,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 217,00/unit
In Stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2516630
  • RS Stock No. 283-2033
  • Mfr. Part No. A2516630
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 63,03(exc. VAT)
Kr. 63,03/unit
In Stock
OKW 50 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A4150107
  • RS Stock No. 283-2072
  • Mfr. Part No. A4150107
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 32,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 32,52/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
Elma Potentiometer Knob 45 mm 0.25 in, Black
  • RS Stock No. 243-9586
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-4020
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 22,15(exc. VAT)
Kr. 22,15/unit
In Stock
Vishay 25.4 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, 11A31B10
  • RS Stock No. 225-9021
  • Mfr. Part No. 11A31B10
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 5 033,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 503,36/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 11.6 mm Knob Diameter Grey, Black Potentiometer Knob for 3.2 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6828
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 128,93(exc. VAT)
Kr. 25,786/unit
In Stock
OKW 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 4 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2520040
  • RS Stock No. 283-2034
  • Mfr. Part No. A2520040
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 66,22(exc. VAT)
Kr. 66,22/unit
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
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