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

192 of 332
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 55 W 2.2 kΩ Wirewound Rheostat 0.16A, RT055AS2201KB
  • RS Stock No. 167-9884
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS2201KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
PHP1,381,361.90(exc. VAT)
PHP55,254.476/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder 0.125 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3223J
  • RS Stock No. 223-1629
  • Mfr. Part No. 3223J-1-503E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP94,426.00(exc. VAT)
PHP188.852/unit
In Stock
50 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3214
  • RS Stock No. 796-4976
  • Mfr. Part No. 3214J-1-503E
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP129.34(exc. VAT)
PHP129.34/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 35 mm, K-1-B 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 792-553
  • Mfr. Part No. K-1-B
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP224.98(exc. VAT)
PHP224.98/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST5
  • RS Stock No. 244-4445
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-5ETW103
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP95,178.00(exc. VAT)
PHP190.356/unit
In Stock
200 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 743-2381
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-1-201E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP521.36(exc. VAT)
PHP104.272/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Translucent Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular, B8233061
  • RS Stock No. 283-2142
  • Mfr. Part No. B8233061
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP759.47(exc. VAT)
PHP759.47/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4410
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA500
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP28,988.50(exc. VAT)
PHP57.977/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1623767-2
  • RS Stock No. 168-207
  • Mfr. Part No. 1623767-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP380.63(exc. VAT)
PHP380.63/unit
In Stock
1 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.1 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST2
  • RS Stock No. 244-4349
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-2TA502
Subtotal (1 tape of 2 units)
PHP540.56(exc. VAT)
PHP270.28/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 3540 200 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 161-6899
  • Mfr. Part No. 3540S-1-201L
Subtotal (1 tray of 25 units)
PHP47,893.90(exc. VAT)
PHP1,915.756/unit
In Stock
Bourns PRS11R 10 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB
  • RS Stock No. 269-2427
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS11R-225F-N103B1
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP187.57(exc. VAT)
PHP187.57/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4309
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-42TW202
Subtotal (1 tape of 2 units)
PHP400.20(exc. VAT)
PHP200.10/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 55 W 1 kΩ Wirewound Rheostat 0.23A, RT055AS1001KB
  • RS Stock No. 167-8663
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS1001KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
PHP1,210,416.50(exc. VAT)
PHP48,416.66/unit
Temporarily out of stock
200 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 167-3340
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-204E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
PHP30,380.00(exc. VAT)
PHP60.76/unit
In Stock
Sifam 21.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, SP211 250 BLACK
  • RS Stock No. 407-2447
  • Mfr. Part No. SP211 250 BLACK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP3,403.87(exc. VAT)
PHP340.387/unit
Temporarily out of stock
200 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.125 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST-32
  • RS Stock No. 474-8677
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-32EB 200 Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP472.83(exc. VAT)
PHP94.566/unit
Temporarily out of stock
500 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 521-9603
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296P-1-504LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP141.52(exc. VAT)
PHP141.52/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 521-9271
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP201.26(exc. VAT)
PHP201.26/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO P40 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0750
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP18,296.90(exc. VAT)
PHP365.938/unit
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