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

5809 Products showing for Variable Resistors

100 of 291
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7245
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ502KB25
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP2,739.30(exc. VAT)
PHP547.86/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-6011
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP438.61(exc. VAT)
PHP43.861/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3214
  • RS Stock No. 166-9937
  • Mfr. Part No. 3214J-1-102E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP68,722.00(exc. VAT)
PHP137.444/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 474-8188
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4EB 100k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP450.40(exc. VAT)
PHP90.08/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, PV36
  • RS Stock No. 181-4431
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36X502C01B00
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP5,155.75(exc. VAT)
PHP103.115/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay 534 200 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1201JL
  • RS Stock No. 460-7532
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1201JL
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,067.30(exc. VAT)
PHP2,067.30/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-3991
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETV102
Subtotal (1 tape of 1000 units)
PHP31,260.00(exc. VAT)
PHP31.26/unit
In Stock
Bourns PDB183-GTR 250 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PDB183-GTR01-254A2
  • RS Stock No. 770-3074
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB183-GTR01-254A2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP308.73(exc. VAT)
PHP308.73/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P11H 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 239-8247
  • Mfr. Part No. P11H1F0GHFY00472KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,638.82(exc. VAT)
PHP1,638.82/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 167-9959
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YB502KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP3,994.75(exc. VAT)
PHP79.895/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3299
  • RS Stock No. 181-4460
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299Y-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP825.16(exc. VAT)
PHP165.032/unit
In Stock
Sifam 18.9 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined, 3/03/TPN130-006/237/233
  • RS Stock No. 299-5023
  • Mfr. Part No. 3/03/TPN130-006/237/233
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP217.19(exc. VAT)
PHP43.438/unit
In Stock
Bourns 51 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-5493
  • Mfr. Part No. 51AAD-B24-A15L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
PHP22,985.01(exc. VAT)
PHP510.778/unit
In Stock
Bourns 56 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 56AAD-C28-B15/R81L
  • RS Stock No. 742-2198
  • Mfr. Part No. 56AAD-C28-B15/R81L
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,523.35(exc. VAT)
PHP1,523.35/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Sifam 21.5 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob Cap for 6 mm Shaft Axial, C210-GRY
  • RS Stock No. 225-940
  • Mfr. Part No. C210-GRY
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP197.69(exc. VAT)
PHP19.769/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Alps Alpine RS60N 10 kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Solder Lug, RS60N1119006
  • RS Stock No. 172-6407
  • Mfr. Part No. RS60N1119006
Subtotal (1 tray of 30 units)
PHP23,382.69(exc. VAT)
PHP779.423/unit
Temporarily out of stock
22 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6793
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YA223MT20
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,232.70(exc. VAT)
PHP246.54/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 167-4582
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-502LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP3,665.90(exc. VAT)
PHP73.318/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.2 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3306
  • RS Stock No. 167-3344
  • Mfr. Part No. 3306P-1-102
Subtotal (1 bag of 200 units)
PHP4,662.60(exc. VAT)
PHP23.313/unit
Last RS stock
TE Connectivity TW 25 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, TW1250KA
  • RS Stock No. 502-8542
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1250KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP829.54(exc. VAT)
PHP829.54/unit
1
100
291
Results per page

Related links

Be the first to know about our latest products and offers

Email address

The personal information you provide to us when signing up to this mailing list will be processed in line with the Privacy Policy