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

6659 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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40 of 333
In Stock
Eaton RMQ-Titan 47 kΩ Potentiometer 1-Turns Screw, 229492 M22-R47K
  • RS Stock No. 620-6080
  • Mfr. Part No. 229492 M22-R47K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP8,143.26(exc. VAT)
PHP8,143.26/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS53
  • RS Stock No. 486-7510
  • Mfr. Part No. TS53YL502MR10
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP601.25(exc. VAT)
PHP120.25/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 12 mm, K-350-LU 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 792-590
  • Mfr. Part No. K-350-LU
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP515.24(exc. VAT)
PHP515.24/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 15 mm, K-200-B 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 792-633
  • Mfr. Part No. K-200-B
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP232.27(exc. VAT)
PHP232.27/unit
In Stock
100 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 100-1105
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-101E
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP785.40(exc. VAT)
PHP78.54/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 3852 2.5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3852A-282-252AL
  • RS Stock No. 756-0164
  • Mfr. Part No. 3852A-282-252AL
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP801.44(exc. VAT)
PHP801.44/unit
In Stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 521-9029
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-1-101LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP109.20(exc. VAT)
PHP109.20/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16 10 kΩ Knob Potentiometer Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NP104MAB15F2
  • RS Stock No. 732-995
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP104MAB15F2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,198.65(exc. VAT)
PHP1,198.65/unit
In Stock
Vishay 534 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Bush, 534-1-1-104
  • RS Stock No. 850-9798
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1102JC
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,758.80(exc. VAT)
PHP2,758.80/unit
Being discontinued
Alps Alpine RK09L 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09L1220A1B
  • RS Stock No. 729-3432
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09L1220A1B
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP150.06(exc. VAT)
PHP150.06/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 100-1206
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-104E
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP785.40(exc. VAT)
PHP78.54/unit
Last RS stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 1 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS Stock No. 167-9513
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y502KB25
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP104,400.10(exc. VAT)
PHP2,088.002/unit
In Stock
250 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 785-9525P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-254LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP102.54(exc. VAT)
PHP102.54/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK09K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 729-3574
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130A6S
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP104.30(exc. VAT)
PHP104.30/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16 100 kΩ Knob Potentiometer Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NP104MAB15F1
  • RS Stock No. 732-978
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP104MAB15F1
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,198.65(exc. VAT)
PHP1,198.65/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK27 50 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 236-9604
  • Mfr. Part No. RK27112A00CF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,913.43(exc. VAT)
PHP2,913.43/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3549 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount, 3549S-1AE-502A
  • RS Stock No. 692-8547
  • Mfr. Part No. 3549S-1AE-502A
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,599.40(exc. VAT)
PHP2,599.40/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P9A 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 504-2699P
  • Mfr. Part No. P9A2R100FISX1103MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP616.34(exc. VAT)
PHP616.34/unit
Temporarily out of stock
1 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3362
  • RS Stock No. 167-3256
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362P-1-105LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP2,091.80(exc. VAT)
PHP41.836/unit
Being discontinued
TE Connectivity 17P 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 17PCSA103MC19P
  • RS Stock No. 377-4782
  • Mfr. Part No. 17PCSA103MC19P
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP284.80(exc. VAT)
PHP284.80/unit
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