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

6622 Products showing for Variable Resistors

188 of 332
In Stock
1 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 177-548
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224W-1-105E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,181.88(exc. VAT)
PHP236.376/unit
Currently unavailable
RS PRO LM10 5 kΩ Linear Motion Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 317-780
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP4,879.31(exc. VAT)
PHP4,879.31/unit
In Stock
5000 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 445-925
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-2-102E
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
PHP183.28(exc. VAT)
PHP91.64/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 357 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 357B0502MXB251S22
  • RS Stock No. 607-321
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0502MXB251S22
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP135,757.70(exc. VAT)
PHP2,715.154/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11H 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 239-8235
  • Mfr. Part No. P11H1F0GHFW10472MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,039.15(exc. VAT)
PHP1,039.15/unit
In Stock
Vishay 22.2 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular, 18B11B010
  • RS Stock No. 104-187
  • Mfr. Part No. 18B11B010
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,975.04(exc. VAT)
PHP1,975.04/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 474-8194
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4EB 200k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP433.82(exc. VAT)
PHP86.764/unit
In Stock
Bourns PRS14R 500 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB, PRS14R-10115-103A3
  • RS Stock No. 269-2449
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS14R-10115-103A3
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
PHP7,439.20(exc. VAT)
PHP74.392/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, PVG5
  • RS Stock No. 167-4761
  • Mfr. Part No. PVG5A203C03R00
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
PHP42,006.00(exc. VAT)
PHP168.024/unit
In Stock
Bourns 93 2.5 kΩ Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 522-5282P
  • Mfr. Part No. 93R1A-R22-A12L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP460.52(exc. VAT)
PHP460.52/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 167-3339
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-104E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP31,444.50(exc. VAT)
PHP62.889/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PRV6 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PRV6SAABGXB25472MA
  • RS Stock No. 732-970
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABGXB25472MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP847.35(exc. VAT)
PHP847.35/unit
In Stock
Vishay 357 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 460-1837P
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0202MXB054506
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP5,686.93(exc. VAT)
PHP5,686.93/unit
In Stock
RS Better World
Siemens 3SU1 2.2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3SU1200-2PW10-1AA0
  • RS Stock No. 183-7287
  • Mfr. Part No. 3SU1200-2PW10-1AA0
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP10,836.69(exc. VAT)
PHP10,836.69/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer with Knob 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 223-4658
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP472KAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,146.08(exc. VAT)
PHP1,146.08/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay PE30 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8712
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL473KLB
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP30,114.77(exc. VAT)
PHP3,011.477/unit
Temporarily out of stock
1 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 743-2451
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386X-1-105LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP76.83(exc. VAT)
PHP76.83/unit
In Stock
Sifam 18.9 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined, 3/03/TPN130-006/237/239
  • RS Stock No. 299-5001
  • Mfr. Part No. 3/03/TPN130-006/237/239
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP227.98(exc. VAT)
PHP45.596/unit
Last RS stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust VPG Foil Resistors, 1240
  • RS Stock No. 763-7163
  • Mfr. Part No. Y4053500R000J0L
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP5,640.50(exc. VAT)
PHP5,640.50/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.125 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM3
  • RS Stock No. 425-340
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM3ZJ203MR10
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP230,331.00(exc. VAT)
PHP460.662/unit
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332
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