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

6537 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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26 of 327
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-2022P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W102KB40
Subtotal (1 unit, supplied in a bag)
Kr. 36,15(exc. VAT)
Kr. 36,15/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 64X
  • RS Stock No. 154-2230
  • Mfr. Part No. M64X502KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 39,35(exc. VAT)
Kr. 39,35/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-3735
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETP501
Subtotal (1000 units, on tapes of 1000)
Kr. 8 298,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 8,298/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 161-7063
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296P-1-502LF
Subtotal (50 units, in tubes of 50)
Kr. 789,35(exc. VAT)
Kr. 15,787/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-1271P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W203KB40
Subtotal (1 unit, supplied in a bag)
Kr. 30,77(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,77/unit
In Stock
20 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-1978P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W200KB40
Subtotal (1 unit, supplied in a box)
Kr. 33,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 33,52/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4415P
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA502
Subtotal (5 units, supplied on a continuous strip)
Kr. 50,08(exc. VAT)
Kr. 10,016/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RS451 10 kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Through Hole, RS45112A400G
  • RS Stock No. 154-8238
  • Mfr. Part No. RS45112A400G
Subtotal (1 unit, in bags of 1)
Kr. 65,89(exc. VAT)
Kr. 65,89/bag
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 64X
  • RS Stock No. 154-2224
  • Mfr. Part No. M64X202KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 33,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 33,52/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3310 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 3310P-001-104L
  • RS Stock No. 161-6949
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310P-001-104L
Subtotal (50 units, in tubes of 50)
Kr. 1 528,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,561/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3655
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EW203
Subtotal (50 units, in bags of 50)
Kr. 448,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 8,972/unit
In Stock
20 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 161-6945
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-200E
Subtotal (500 units, on reels of 500)
Kr. 5 258,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 10,516/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4310
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-42TW203
Subtotal (250 units, on reels of 250)
Kr. 2 922,25(exc. VAT)
Kr. 11,689/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4315P
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-42TW502
Subtotal (2 units, supplied on a continuous strip)
Kr. 34,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 17,26/unit
Limited stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7008
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-205LF
Subtotal (50 units, in tubes of 50)
Kr. 468,10(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,362/unit
In Stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-1990P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W101KB40
Subtotal (1 unit, supplied in a bag)
Kr. 33,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 33,52/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4410
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA500
Subtotal (500 units, on reels of 500)
Kr. 10 076,50(exc. VAT)
Kr. 20,153/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components JT22 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang
  • RS Stock No. 244-4023
  • Mfr. Part No. JT22-320-500
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 730,32(exc. VAT)
Kr. 730,32/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3668
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EX203
Subtotal (50 units, in bags of 50)
Kr. 1 718,95(exc. VAT)
Kr. 34,379/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components MC1003 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 3-Turns 1-Gang, MC1003-000-502
  • RS Stock No. 244-4063
  • Mfr. Part No. MC1003-000-502
Subtotal (5 units, in trays of 5)
Kr. 1 790,46(exc. VAT)
Kr. 358,092/unit
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