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

6576 Products showing for Variable Resistors

3 of 329
In Stock
Vishay 534 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 460-7526P
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1103JL
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP2,518.12(exc. VAT)
PHP2,518.12/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-2044
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W502KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP151.53(exc. VAT)
PHP151.53/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity TW 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, TW1502KA
  • RS Stock No. 502-8621
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1502KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP681.93(exc. VAT)
PHP681.93/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1624139-2
  • RS Stock No. 387-739
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624139-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP251.94(exc. VAT)
PHP251.94/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 521-9041
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP105.26(exc. VAT)
PHP105.26/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P25 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7002
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP490.53(exc. VAT)
PHP490.53/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P40 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7090
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP675.62(exc. VAT)
PHP675.62/unit
In Stock
Arcol Ohmite 25 W 5 kΩ Linear Rheostat 0.07A, RHS5K0E
  • RS Stock No. 144-5530
  • Mfr. Part No. RHS5K0E
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP15,204.85(exc. VAT)
PHP15,204.85/unit
In Stock
Vishay 534 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1103JC8872
  • RS Stock No. 486-7093
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1103JC8872
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,169.81(exc. VAT)
PHP2,169.81/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 16.2 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6913
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP709.92(exc. VAT)
PHP141.984/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3680 100 kΩ Digital Display Potentiometer 10-Turns 3-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-4409
  • Mfr. Part No. 3683S-1-104L
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP172,902.95(exc. VAT)
PHP3,458.059/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 22 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 467-2491
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP539.23(exc. VAT)
PHP539.23/unit
In Stock
Bourns 91 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-4767
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-B20L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
PHP15,248.52(exc. VAT)
PHP338.856/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1623763-2
  • RS Stock No. 168-178
  • Mfr. Part No. 1623763-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP296.44(exc. VAT)
PHP296.44/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, PV36
  • RS Stock No. 167-5323
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36W502C01B00
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP4,803.35(exc. VAT)
PHP96.067/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 29.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, PKS1105B101/4
  • RS Stock No. 783-0218
  • Mfr. Part No. PKS1105B101/4
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP306.37(exc. VAT)
PHP306.37/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Alps Alpine RK09K 10 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09K1130A0H
  • RS Stock No. 172-7588
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130A0H
Subtotal (1 box of 1000 units)
PHP64,943.00(exc. VAT)
PHP64.943/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3852 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3852A-282-103AL
  • RS Stock No. 737-7650
  • Mfr. Part No. 3852A-282-103AL
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP681.04(exc. VAT)
PHP681.04/unit
In Stock
Vishay 46 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, 21A11B10
  • RS Stock No. 107-3138
  • Mfr. Part No. 21A11B10
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP3,925.97(exc. VAT)
PHP3,925.97/unit
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-6
  • RS Stock No. 474-7084
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-6ES 200 Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP129.66(exc. VAT)
PHP25.932/unit
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