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

6659 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 842-7107P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP1,440.79(exc. VAT)
PHP1,440.79/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 154-1990P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W101KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP193.38(exc. VAT)
PHP193.38/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 225-833
  • Mfr. Part No. C111-GRY
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP439.30(exc. VAT)
PHP43.93/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 796-4829
  • Mfr. Part No. 3329H-1-253LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP168.98(exc. VAT)
PHP168.98/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 161-6907
  • Mfr. Part No. 54AAD-C28-B13/P50L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
PHP114,449.805(exc. VAT)
PHP2,543.329/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 329-019
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP102MAB15CV1F
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
PHP21,749.34(exc. VAT)
PHP1,087.467/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 182-5701
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13SR 5K Ohm (502)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP429.54(exc. VAT)
PHP429.54/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 796-4894P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224X-1-202E
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP234.83(exc. VAT)
PHP234.83/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 225-675
  • Mfr. Part No. S110004-BLK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP2,342.94(exc. VAT)
PHP234.294/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 182-5626
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13S 100K Ohm (104)
Subtotal (1 bag of 50 units)
PHP12,366.05(exc. VAT)
PHP247.321/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 891-5512
  • Mfr. Part No. RJS50RE
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP17,957.64(exc. VAT)
PHP17,957.64/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 521-9782P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-501LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP155.72(exc. VAT)
PHP155.72/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 692-8516P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3549S-1AA-103A
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP1,576.08(exc. VAT)
PHP1,576.08/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 607-328
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1103JC
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP3,202.24(exc. VAT)
PHP3,202.24/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 298-382
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NM102MAB15CV1D
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,794.80(exc. VAT)
PHP1,794.80/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-9525
  • Mfr. Part No. T63YB202KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP8,398.75(exc. VAT)
PHP167.975/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 167-5327
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36W504C01B00
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP5,038.50(exc. VAT)
PHP100.77/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 144-2185
  • Mfr. Part No. 82PR10KLFTB
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP472.70(exc. VAT)
PHP94.54/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 790-4233
  • Mfr. Part No. P10XXAI503KB30
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP999.48(exc. VAT)
PHP999.48/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 162-259P
  • Mfr. Part No. M43P503KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP272.02(exc. VAT)
PHP272.02/unit
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