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

6612 Products showing for Variable Resistors

170 of 331
In Stock
Vishay P11H 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, P11H1F0GHFW10472KA
  • RS Stock No. 239-8232
  • Mfr. Part No. P11H1F0GHFW10472KA
Subtotal (1 box of 15 units)
PHP19,603.86(exc. VAT)
PHP1,306.924/unit
In Stock
Vishay 860 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 294-3729P
  • Mfr. Part No. 860B1501
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP20,124.24(exc. VAT)
PHP20,124.24/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 39.5 mm, K-2901-L 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 792-602
  • Mfr. Part No. K-2901-L
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP248.03(exc. VAT)
PHP248.03/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity M 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 135-4423
  • Mfr. Part No. 404802692035
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP57,128.25(exc. VAT)
PHP1,142.565/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 177-447
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224W-1-501E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,217.16(exc. VAT)
PHP243.432/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 13.5 mm Shaft Circular, PA16FNP471MA
  • RS Stock No. 277-638
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16FNP471MA
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
PHP18,734.00(exc. VAT)
PHP936.70/unit
Currently unavailable
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-42
  • RS Stock No. 602-4872
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-42W 20k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,476.32(exc. VAT)
PHP295.264/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO P25 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0735
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP7,575.50(exc. VAT)
PHP151.51/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, B8033068
  • RS Stock No. 283-2141
  • Mfr. Part No. B8033068
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP640.10(exc. VAT)
PHP640.10/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Screw Fix
  • RS Stock No. 467-2508
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP539.23(exc. VAT)
PHP539.23/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 1 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3059
  • RS Stock No. 743-2283
  • Mfr. Part No. 3059Y-1-102LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP551.92(exc. VAT)
PHP551.92/unit
In Stock
Vishay 157 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 162-2384
  • Mfr. Part No. 157B103MX9001
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP34,223.40(exc. VAT)
PHP3,422.34/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 13 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 14 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMS1316NLD14
  • RS Stock No. 764-312
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMS1316NLD14
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP459.17(exc. VAT)
PHP459.17/unit
In Stock
4.7 kΩ, Panel Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Through Hole 0.2 W Side Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PC-16
  • RS Stock No. 134-963
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10LV10-472A2020-PM-S
Subtotal (1 box of 1000 units)
PHP19,650.00(exc. VAT)
PHP19.65/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 25.3 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 107-857
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP78.10(exc. VAT)
PHP78.10/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3549 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3549S-1AA-203A
  • RS Stock No. 692-8525
  • Mfr. Part No. 3549S-1AA-203A
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,557.98(exc. VAT)
PHP1,557.98/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P10 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 167-8938
  • Mfr. Part No. P10XXAI502KB30
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
PHP53,086.00(exc. VAT)
PHP530.86/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 691-7415
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-1-203E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP499.80(exc. VAT)
PHP99.96/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Flange
  • RS Stock No. 279-4146
Subtotal (1 box of 1 unit)
PHP4,900.21(exc. VAT)
PHP4,900.21/box
In Stock
RS PRO P40 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7100P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP676.22(exc. VAT)
PHP676.22/unit
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