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

9 of 323
Currently unavailable
Vishay P9A 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, P9A1R100FISX1103ML
  • RS Stock No. 504-2661
  • Mfr. Part No. P9A1R100FISX1103ML
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 89,12(exc. VAT)
Kr. 89,12/unit
In Stock
Vishay 249 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-299P
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25103KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
Kr. 203,98(exc. VAT)
Kr. 203,98/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 29 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 498-924
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 81,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 81,00/unit
Being discontinued
Alps Alpine RK09L 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09L1220A1B
  • RS Stock No. 729-3432
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09L1220A1B
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 34,78(exc. VAT)
Kr. 34,78/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3299
  • RS Stock No. 161-7049
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299P-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
Kr. 1 160,00(exc. VAT)
Kr. 23,20/unit
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, PV36
  • RS Stock No. 769-2176
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36W202C01B00
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 15,79(exc. VAT)
Kr. 15,79/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3590 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3590S-1-102L
  • RS Stock No. 737-7638
  • Mfr. Part No. 3590S-1-102L
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 174,92(exc. VAT)
Kr. 174,92/unit
Currently unavailable
Alps Alpine RK09K 50 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, RK09K1130APP
  • RS Stock No. 263-3040
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130APP
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 20,59(exc. VAT)
Kr. 20,59/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16S 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16SNP103MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 769-2299
  • Mfr. Part No. P16SNP103MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 249,85(exc. VAT)
Kr. 249,85/unit
In Stock
Arcol Ohmite 12.5 W 100 Ω Linear Rheostat 0.36A, RES100E
  • RS Stock No. 144-5521
  • Mfr. Part No. RES100E
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 2 220,28(exc. VAT)
Kr. 2 220,28/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P25 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7119
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 260,95(exc. VAT)
Kr. 260,95/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16F 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 329-046
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP103MARSD
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 251,34(exc. VAT)
Kr. 251,34/unit
In Stock
Vishay 248 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 248BBHS0XB25103MA
  • RS Stock No. 410-508P
  • Mfr. Part No. 248BBHS0XB25103MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
Kr. 181,21(exc. VAT)
Kr. 181,21/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 20 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 465-9842
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 72,07(exc. VAT)
Kr. 72,07/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 534 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount, 534S1102JCB4222
  • RS Stock No. 162-2383
  • Mfr. Part No. 534S1102JCB4222
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
Kr. 12 253,73(exc. VAT)
Kr. 1 225,373/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 3852 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3852A-282-103AL
  • RS Stock No. 737-7650
  • Mfr. Part No. 3852A-282-103AL
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 132,02(exc. VAT)
Kr. 132,02/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 521-9192
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 35,01(exc. VAT)
Kr. 35,01/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK27 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 234-6617
  • Mfr. Part No. RK27112MC01P
Subtotal (1 unit)
Kr. 687,77(exc. VAT)
Kr. 687,77/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ Trimmer Potentiometer 0.25 W Side Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT 15
  • RS Stock No. 134-930
  • Mfr. Part No. PT15NV15-104A2020-S
Subtotal (1 box of 400 units)
Kr. 1 977,60(exc. VAT)
Kr. 4,944/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 16.2 mm Knob Diameter Grey, Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6957
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
Kr. 143,23(exc. VAT)
Kr. 28,646/unit
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