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

328 of 329
Stock information currently inaccessible
  • RS Stock No. 167-9363
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YA102MT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP9,306.00(exc. VAT)
PHP186.12/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-593
  • Mfr. Part No. K-351-OR
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP423.65(exc. VAT)
PHP423.65/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-576
  • Mfr. Part No. K-240
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP220.65(exc. VAT)
PHP220.65/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4374P
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-32ETA503
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP513.52(exc. VAT)
PHP102.704/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 144-2099
  • Mfr. Part No. 64YR2KLF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP5,545.05(exc. VAT)
PHP110.901/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 144-2093
  • Mfr. Part No. 67XR1KLF
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP4,092.50(exc. VAT)
PHP81.85/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 460-1837P
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0202MXB054506
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP5,686.93(exc. VAT)
PHP5,686.93/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 283-2145
  • Mfr. Part No. B8733001
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP988.86(exc. VAT)
PHP988.86/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-624
  • Mfr. Part No. K-100-22AL-GY
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP339.80(exc. VAT)
PHP339.80/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 733-034
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP103MAB15F1
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,198.65(exc. VAT)
PHP1,198.65/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4413P
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA501
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
PHP308.80(exc. VAT)
PHP61.76/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-578
  • Mfr. Part No. K-300-BL
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP330.98(exc. VAT)
PHP330.98/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 733-022
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FGSY00103JA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,101.84(exc. VAT)
PHP1,101.84/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 733-021
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABGYB25104KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP932.18(exc. VAT)
PHP932.18/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 732-996
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABBYB25101MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP847.35(exc. VAT)
PHP847.35/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-3666
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EX104
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP521.36(exc. VAT)
PHP104.272/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 154-2993P
  • Mfr. Part No. M63P202KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP323.79(exc. VAT)
PHP323.79/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 733-005
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP222KAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,436.54(exc. VAT)
PHP1,436.54/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 249-1511
  • Mfr. Part No. P16YP104MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,203.94(exc. VAT)
PHP1,203.94/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
  • RS Stock No. 792-556
  • Mfr. Part No. K-10
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP688.43(exc. VAT)
PHP688.43/unit
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