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

71 of 323
Stocked by manufacturer
100000 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer Top Adjust TE Connectivity, Citec
  • RS Stock No. 501-412
  • Mfr. Part No. 1630479-8
Subtotal (1 pack of 1000 units)
Kr. 2 310,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 2,31/unit
In Stock
12 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 787-0493P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-123LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
Kr. 30,24(exc. VAT)
Kr. 30,24/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3299
  • RS Stock No. 522-0388
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299W-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 28,71(exc. VAT)
Kr. 28,71/unit
In Stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.1 W Top Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT6
  • RS Stock No. 181-246
  • Mfr. Part No. PT6KV-502A2020
Subtotal (1 bag of 25 units)
Kr. 81,775(exc. VAT)
Kr. 3,271/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 64
  • RS Stock No. 144-2240
  • Mfr. Part No. 64WR5KLF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 126,07(exc. VAT)
Kr. 25,214/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO NP24HS 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang
  • RS Stock No. 173-0751
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
Kr. 4 398,55(exc. VAT)
Kr. 87,971/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-5973
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
Kr. 98,04(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,804/unit
Currently unavailable
Bourns 3680 500 kΩ Digital Display Potentiometer 10-Turns 3-Gang Panel Mount, 3683S-1-504L
  • RS Stock No. 166-3696
  • Mfr. Part No. 3683S-1-504L
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 670,50(exc. VAT)
Kr. 670,50/unit
Currently unavailable
TE Connectivity 23 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1624154-2
  • RS Stock No. 168-128
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624154-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 56,91(exc. VAT)
Kr. 56,91/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components M-22E10 10 kΩ Rotary Wirewound Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang
  • RS Stock No. 244-4055
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10-050 2K
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 143,99(exc. VAT)
Kr. 143,99/unit
In Stock
Vishay 46 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 167-9628
  • Mfr. Part No. 21A11B10
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
Kr. 4 856,97(exc. VAT)
Kr. 485,697/unit
In Stock
Vishay 157 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount, 157S103MX
  • RS Stock No. 294-3690
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S103MX
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 605,86(exc. VAT)
Kr. 605,86/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns PRS11R 10 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB, PRS11R-215F-S103B1
  • RS Stock No. 269-2424
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS11R-215F-S103B1
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
Kr. 2 402,40(exc. VAT)
Kr. 24,024/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 522-0164
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-205LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 24,82(exc. VAT)
Kr. 24,82/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO P25 2.5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7012
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 90,03(exc. VAT)
Kr. 90,03/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 89
  • RS Stock No. 144-2056
  • Mfr. Part No. 89PR10KLFTB
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
Kr. 538,15(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,526/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm, 040-4065, Green
  • RS Stock No. 243-9597
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-4065
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
Kr. 1 760,50(exc. VAT)
Kr. 17,605/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKIS2012NLD14
  • RS Stock No. 425-008
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKIS2012NLD14
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
Kr. 3 449,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 17,248/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay P11S 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8866
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00102KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
Kr. 8 772,18(exc. VAT)
Kr. 146,203/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 25 W 1 kΩ Wirewound Rheostat 158mA, RT025AS1001KB
  • RS Stock No. 168-0121
  • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS1001KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
Kr. 87 135,05(exc. VAT)
Kr. 3 485,402/unit
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