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

6620 Products showing for Variable Resistors

52 of 331
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.125 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST-32
  • RS Stock No. 896-7106
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-32EA 1kR
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
PHP472.83(exc. VAT)
PHP94.566/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PE30 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8695
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL104KAB
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP17,301.40(exc. VAT)
PHP1,730.14/unit
In Stock
Vishay 249 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 249BBHS0XB25103KA
  • RS Stock No. 410-299
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25103KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,046.89(exc. VAT)
PHP1,046.89/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 2.2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1624127-2
  • RS Stock No. 387-723
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624127-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP418.76(exc. VAT)
PHP418.76/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16BP223MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 249-1474
  • Mfr. Part No. P16BP223MAB15
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
PHP20,961.20(exc. VAT)
PHP1,048.06/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63M
  • RS Stock No. 154-2527P
  • Mfr. Part No. M63M102KB30T607
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP485.60(exc. VAT)
PHP485.60/unit
Currently unavailable
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-4004
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETV501
Subtotal (1 tape of 1000 units)
PHP19,328.00(exc. VAT)
PHP19.328/unit
In Stock
RS Better World
Schneider Electric Harmony XB4 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB4BD912R1K
  • RS Stock No. 125-4401
  • Mfr. Part No. XB4BD912R1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP5,570.22(exc. VAT)
PHP5,570.22/unit
In Stock
Radiohm POTM 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 05.061.4100
  • RS Stock No. 468-8698
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.4100
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP299.43(exc. VAT)
PHP299.43/unit
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 474-8958
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13P 200 Ohm (201)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP318.69(exc. VAT)
PHP318.69/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Alps Alpine RK163 10 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK1631110TWA
  • RS Stock No. 172-6361
  • Mfr. Part No. RK1631110TWA
Subtotal (1 box of 2400 units)
PHP445,656.00(exc. VAT)
PHP185.69/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 17 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-6049
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP179.74(exc. VAT)
PHP35.948/unit
In Stock
Sifam Black Potentiometer Knob for 1.2 mm Shaft Tang, 4/02 LK110 01
  • RS Stock No. 281-7197
  • Mfr. Part No. 4/02 LK110 01
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP188.87(exc. VAT)
PHP37.774/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 167-9535
  • Mfr. Part No. T63XB503KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP9,629.20(exc. VAT)
PHP192.584/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-3984
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETS501
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP207.03(exc. VAT)
PHP20.703/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components M 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel, M-22E10 1K
  • RS Stock No. 182-5654
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10 1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,054.38(exc. VAT)
PHP1,054.38/unit
In Stock
Vishay PE30 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 790-4303P
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR223KAB
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP2,484.43(exc. VAT)
PHP2,484.43/unit
Currently unavailable
100 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7447
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YL104KB25
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP2,618.56(exc. VAT)
PHP523.712/unit
Temporarily out of stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 167-4578
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP5,627.15(exc. VAT)
PHP112.543/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P25 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7087
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP424.21(exc. VAT)
PHP424.21/unit
1
52
331
Results per page

Related links

Be the first to know about our latest products and offers

Email address

The personal information you provide to us when signing up to this mailing list will be processed in line with the Privacy Policy