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

85 of 323
Unavailable
5kΩ, SMD Trimmer Potentiometer 0.25W Side Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 738-020P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224G-1-502E
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
Kr. 47,26(exc. VAT)
Kr. 47,26/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity SP2 10 kΩ Linear Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP2-12
  • RS Stock No. 893-7332P
  • Mfr. Part No. SP2-12
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
Kr. 5 647,69(exc. VAT)
Kr. 5 647,69/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 27 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 163-8383
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA104MMF50N
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
Kr. 10 921,20(exc. VAT)
Kr. 109,212/unit
In Stock
Lovato Platinum 2.5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, LPCPA002
  • RS Stock No. 224-7361
  • Mfr. Part No. LPCPA002
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 786,73(exc. VAT)
Kr. 786,73/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11S 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11S1V0FLSY00101KA
  • RS Stock No. 790-4372
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00101KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 165,54(exc. VAT)
Kr. 165,54/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 691-7409
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-1-103E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 81,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 16,20/unit
In Stock
Vishay Dial for RT12 Potentiometer, ACCRFCADRANCG45
  • RS Stock No. 788-5132
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCRFCADRANCG45
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 556,67(exc. VAT)
Kr. 556,67/unit
In Stock
Vishay 25 W 470 Ω Wirewound Rheostat 230mA
  • RS Stock No. 788-7832
  • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS4700KB
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 3 823,93(exc. VAT)
Kr. 3 823,93/unit
Temporarily out of stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 167-3560
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-203E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
Kr. 4 743,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,486/unit
In Stock
220 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6872P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB221MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
Kr. 276,62(exc. VAT)
Kr. 55,324/unit
Limited stock
Vishay 25 W 2.2 Ω Wirewound Rheostat 3.37kA
  • RS Stock No. 788-7829
  • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS2R20KB
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 3 873,93(exc. VAT)
Kr. 3 873,93/unit
Temporarily out of stock
10 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 167-3331
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-100E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
Kr. 4 798,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 9,596/unit
In Stock
1000 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.04 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS Stock No. 653-027
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ105KR05
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
Kr. 45,76(exc. VAT)
Kr. 45,76/tape
In Stock
RS PRO 31.8 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Screw Fix
  • RS Stock No. 467-2520
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 202,83(exc. VAT)
Kr. 202,83/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63M
  • RS Stock No. 167-9661
  • Mfr. Part No. M63M203KB30T607
Subtotal (1 box of 400 units)
Kr. 29 417,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 73,544/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3310 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel
  • RS Stock No. 167-3511
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310C-001-502L
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
Kr. 1 090,70(exc. VAT)
Kr. 21,814/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 12.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMP1316NLS14
  • RS Stock No. 425-032
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1316NLS14
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
Kr. 12 906,80(exc. VAT)
Kr. 64,534/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7403P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YL103KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
Kr. 561,48(exc. VAT)
Kr. 112,296/unit
In Stock
Bourns 91 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-0034
  • Mfr. Part No. 91R1A-R22-B10L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
Kr. 2 818,575(exc. VAT)
Kr. 62,635/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 82 250 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 162-2513
  • Mfr. Part No. 82A1D-Z28-BA0/255L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
Kr. 8 313,12(exc. VAT)
Kr. 184,736/unit
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