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

312 of 329
In Stock
OKW 50 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A4150100
  • RS Stock No. 283-2071
  • Mfr. Part No. A4150100
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP228.88(exc. VAT)
PHP228.88/unit
In Stock
Vishay 149 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 484-8531P
  • Mfr. Part No. 14910F0GJSX10501KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP1,034.49(exc. VAT)
PHP1,034.49/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PA16 1 kΩ Knob Potentiometer Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PA16NP102KAB15
  • RS Stock No. 733-038
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16NP102KAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,466.04(exc. VAT)
PHP1,466.04/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P13 2.2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13LFL222MAB10
  • RS Stock No. 733-036
  • Mfr. Part No. P13LFL222MAB10
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,508.87(exc. VAT)
PHP2,508.87/unit
In Stock
1 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 521-9669P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-105LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP101.94(exc. VAT)
PHP101.94/unit
In Stock
50 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 787-0708P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-2-503E
Subtotal 10 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP720.72(exc. VAT)
PHP72.072/unit
Last RS stock
20 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Tab 0.05 W Top Adjust TE Connectivity, 3203
  • RS Stock No. 754-2122P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3203X203P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP149.37(exc. VAT)
PHP149.37/unit
In Stock
Vishay P13SM 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 753-7275P
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFGS472MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP7,359.71(exc. VAT)
PHP7,359.71/unit
Temporarily out of stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64Y
  • RS Stock No. 154-2353P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64Y101KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP132.79(exc. VAT)
PHP132.79/unit
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3362
  • RS Stock No. 522-0928P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362P-1-201LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP57.23(exc. VAT)
PHP57.23/unit
In Stock
22 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6939P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB223MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
PHP835.56(exc. VAT)
PHP167.112/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 19 mm, K-8000-S-G 6 mm, Green
  • RS Stock No. 792-651
  • Mfr. Part No. K-8000-S-G
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP330.98(exc. VAT)
PHP330.98/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11P 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 743-5731P
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GJSY00103KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP953.21(exc. VAT)
PHP953.21/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 19 mm, K-8000-S-BL 6 mm, Blue
  • RS Stock No. 792-652
  • Mfr. Part No. K-8000-S-BL
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP330.98(exc. VAT)
PHP330.98/unit
In Stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7016
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-505LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP3,298.40(exc. VAT)
PHP65.968/unit
In Stock
4.7 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6917P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB472MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
PHP1,197.67(exc. VAT)
PHP239.534/unit
In Stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 788-5069P
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YA101KT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
PHP524.40(exc. VAT)
PHP104.88/unit
New product - Preorder today
TE Connectivity SP1 10 kΩ Precision Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel, SP1-12-3
  • RS Stock No. 829-000
  • Mfr. Part No. SP1-12-3
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP39,242.86(exc. VAT)
PHP39,242.86/unit
In Stock
1 mΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 177-419P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-105E
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP544.88(exc. VAT)
PHP108.976/unit
In Stock
Vishay 249 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-261P
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25102KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP983.92(exc. VAT)
PHP983.92/unit
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