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

66 of 323
In Stock
Vishay P16F 470 Ω Linear Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP471KA
  • RS Stock No. 652-959
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP471KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 237,27(exc. VAT)
Kr. 237,27/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P25 50 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0721
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
Kr. 1 067,80(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,356/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7403
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YL103KB25
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 561,48(exc. VAT)
Kr. 112,296/unit
In Stock
Eaton M30C 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 187032 M30C-FR100K
  • RS Stock No. 274-1145
  • Mfr. Part No. 187032 M30C-FR100K
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 861,96(exc. VAT)
Kr. 861,96/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Panel Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Through Hole 0.2 W Side Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PC-16
  • RS Stock No. 134-953
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10MV10-104A2020-S
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
Kr. 92,85(exc. VAT)
Kr. 3,714/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16F 100 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP104MA
  • RS Stock No. 652-945
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP104MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 217,02(exc. VAT)
Kr. 217,02/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3299
  • RS Stock No. 181-4414
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299Y-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
Kr. 1 111,95(exc. VAT)
Kr. 22,239/unit
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm, Green
  • RS Stock No. 243-9598
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-4065
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 23,91(exc. VAT)
Kr. 23,91/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 691-7670P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-501LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
Kr. 21,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,05/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 21 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Dial for 17 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 468-0739
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 178,58(exc. VAT)
Kr. 17,858/unit
Temporarily out of stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64Y
  • RS Stock No. 154-2353P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64Y101KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
Kr. 33,52(exc. VAT)
Kr. 33,52/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PRV6 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PRV6SAABGYB25104KA
  • RS Stock No. 733-021
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABGYB25104KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 138,77(exc. VAT)
Kr. 138,77/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63P
  • RS Stock No. 154-3019
  • Mfr. Part No. M63P103KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 71,27(exc. VAT)
Kr. 71,27/unit
Last RS stock
TE Connectivity TW 10 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, TW1100KA
  • RS Stock No. 502-8536
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1100KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 151,30(exc. VAT)
Kr. 151,30/unit
In Stock
Vishay 534 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 460-7605P
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1104JL
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
Kr. 487,57(exc. VAT)
Kr. 487,57/unit
In Stock
Vishay 55 W 1 kΩ Wirewound Rheostat 0.23A
  • RS Stock No. 795-4838
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS1001KB
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 7 541,25(exc. VAT)
Kr. 7 541,25/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Translucent Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular, B8233061
  • RS Stock No. 283-2142
  • Mfr. Part No. B8233061
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 98,51(exc. VAT)
Kr. 98,51/unit
Currently unavailable
1 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.1 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST2
  • RS Stock No. 244-4336
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-2TA101
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
Kr. 9 891,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 19,782/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2362
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-204LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 14,99(exc. VAT)
Kr. 14,99/unit
In Stock
Vishay 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 425-009
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKIS2012NLD14
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 20,36(exc. VAT)
Kr. 20,36/unit
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