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

6576 Products showing for Variable Resistors

306 of 329
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4388
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4 2ETA502
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
PHP253.57(exc. VAT)
PHP50.714/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 269-2438
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS12R-2125S-103B1
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
PHP11,369.20(exc. VAT)
PHP113.692/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 460-7469P
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B2203MAB251S22
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP1,937.82(exc. VAT)
PHP1,937.82/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 162-237P
  • Mfr. Part No. M43P103KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP249.05(exc. VAT)
PHP249.05/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-634
  • Mfr. Part No. K-200-GY
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP198.59(exc. VAT)
PHP198.59/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 425-371P
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7X103KR10
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP224.30(exc. VAT)
PHP224.30/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 796-4847P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3329H-1-472LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP180.18(exc. VAT)
PHP180.18/unit
Unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 753-6751P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3150W101P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP48.84(exc. VAT)
PHP48.84/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 445-932P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362R-1-104LF
Subtotal 2 units (supplied in a tube)
PHP161.11(exc. VAT)
PHP80.555/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 243-9598
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-4065
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP160.43(exc. VAT)
PHP160.43/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-2362P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-204LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP75.49(exc. VAT)
PHP75.49/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 769-2280P
  • Mfr. Part No. P16SNP101MAB15
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP1,354.91(exc. VAT)
PHP1,354.91/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 486-7447P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YL104KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a box)
PHP2,618.56(exc. VAT)
PHP523.712/unit
Limited stock
  • RS Stock No. 692-8531P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3549S-1AA-503A
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP1,358.81(exc. VAT)
PHP1,358.81/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 410-413P
  • Mfr. Part No. 248FGJS0XB25104MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP758.18(exc. VAT)
PHP758.18/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 374-6967
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB224MT20
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,375.53(exc. VAT)
PHP275.106/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 733-013
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABGYB25103KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP932.18(exc. VAT)
PHP932.18/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 732-994
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAAAJXB25502MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP847.35(exc. VAT)
PHP847.35/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 162-647P
  • Mfr. Part No. M43P200KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP218.74(exc. VAT)
PHP218.74/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-648
  • Mfr. Part No. K-8000-S-B
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP330.98(exc. VAT)
PHP330.98/unit
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