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

53 of 323
Currently unavailable
CTS 026 100 Ω Linear Potentiometer Panel Mount, 026TB32R101B1B1
  • RS Stock No. 179-0663
  • Mfr. Part No. 026TB32R101B1B1
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 30,59(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,59/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4429
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETB104
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
Kr. 50,08(exc. VAT)
Kr. 10,016/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns PDB8 500 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB, PDB082-P10-503A3
  • RS Stock No. 269-2403
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB082-P10-503A3
Subtotal (1 bag of 500 units)
Kr. 4 077,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 8,154/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 16.2 mm Knob Diameter Black, Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6929
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 143,23(exc. VAT)
Kr. 28,646/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3680 100 kΩ Digital Display Potentiometer 10-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, 3682S-1-104L
  • RS Stock No. 248-6771
  • Mfr. Part No. 3682S-1-104L
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 363,68(exc. VAT)
Kr. 363,68/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 522-0158
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-204LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 24,02(exc. VAT)
Kr. 24,02/unit
In Stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63M
  • RS Stock No. 183-1221
  • Mfr. Part No. M63M503KB30T607
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 94,04(exc. VAT)
Kr. 94,04/unit
In Stock
Vishay P13SM 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13SMNFLS472MA
  • RS Stock No. 753-7293
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFLS472MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 1 095,72(exc. VAT)
Kr. 1 095,72/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 22.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, 50A21B10
  • RS Stock No. 169-3134
  • Mfr. Part No. 50A21B10
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
Kr. 91 255,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 912,556/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P16 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16RP472MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 249-1493
  • Mfr. Part No. P16RP472MAB15
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
Kr. 3 511,62(exc. VAT)
Kr. 175,581/unit
In Stock
RS Better World
Siemens SIRIUS ACT Rotary Push Button Head Potentiometer Push Button Head, 3SU1200-2PQ10-1AA0
  • RS Stock No. 103-8536
  • Mfr. Part No. 3SU1200-2PQ10-1AA0
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 1 259,43(exc. VAT)
Kr. 1 259,43/unit
Currently unavailable
RS PRO 40CP 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0768
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
Kr. 36 307,95(exc. VAT)
Kr. 726,159/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 3590 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-4668
  • Mfr. Part No. 3590S-1-203L
Subtotal (1 tray of 25 units)
Kr. 4 448,80(exc. VAT)
Kr. 177,952/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 (1 tape of 1000 units)
Kr. 8 298,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 8,298/unit
In Stock
PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A PC-16 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer, PC16SH10CP06-104A2020--TA
  • RS Stock No. 640-678
  • Mfr. Part No. PC16SH10CP06-104A2020--TA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 21,39(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,39/unit
In Stock
Bourns 56 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 56AAD-C28-B15/R80L
  • RS Stock No. 742-2189
  • Mfr. Part No. 56AAD-C28-B15/R80L
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 226,40(exc. VAT)
Kr. 226,40/unit
In Stock
Vishay 534 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount, 534S1502JC4222
  • RS Stock No. 460-1988
  • Mfr. Part No. 534S1502JC4222
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 1 493,03(exc. VAT)
Kr. 1 493,03/unit
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 522-0120
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-201LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 21,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,05/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 21.3 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Slotted
  • RS Stock No. 463-8463
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 71,04(exc. VAT)
Kr. 71,04/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 16.8 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined
  • RS Stock No. 777-7347
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 48,96(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,792/unit
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