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

6791 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 35 mm, K-1-A 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 792-552
  • Mfr. Part No. K-1-A
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP247.48(exc. VAT)
PHP247.48/unit
In Stock
2.2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7033
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386H-1-222LF
Subtotal (50 units, in tubes of 50)
PHP4,018.50(exc. VAT)
PHP80.37/unit
In Stock
Vishay 17 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKPS1715NLT6
  • RS Stock No. 764-304
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKPS1715NLT6
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP220.41(exc. VAT)
PHP220.41/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 100 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB, PDB081-P11-104A3
  • RS Stock No. 269-2399
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB081-P11-104A3
Subtotal (500 units, in bags of 500)
PHP24,548.00(exc. VAT)
PHP49.096/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Sato Parts Potentiometer Knob 17.4 mm, K-52-KE-3 6 mm, Black, Silver
  • RS Stock No. 792-571
  • Mfr. Part No. K-52-KE-3
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP839.80(exc. VAT)
PHP839.80/unit
In Stock
OKW 31 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A3131639
  • RS Stock No. 283-2057
  • Mfr. Part No. A3131639
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP780.27(exc. VAT)
PHP780.27/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 29 mm Knob Diameter Clear Potentiometer Dial for 11 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 468-0638
Subtotal (10 units, in packs of 10)
PHP696.96(exc. VAT)
PHP69.696/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 82
  • RS Stock No. 144-2185
  • Mfr. Part No. 82PR10KLFTB
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
PHP472.70(exc. VAT)
PHP94.54/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 25 W 470 Ω Wirewound Rheostat 230mA, RT025AS4700KB
  • RS Stock No. 168-0127
  • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS4700KB
Subtotal (25 units, in packs of 25)
PHP443,486.125(exc. VAT)
PHP17,739.445/unit
In Stock
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular, P16FNM472MA
  • RS Stock No. 444-771
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNM472MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,189.75(exc. VAT)
PHP2,189.75/unit
In Stock
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 10 mm Shaft Circular, P16FNM104MA
  • RS Stock No. 444-759
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNM104MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,405.60(exc. VAT)
PHP2,405.60/unit
Currently unavailable
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-4002
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETV203
Subtotal (1000 units, on tapes of 1000)
PHP32,198.00(exc. VAT)
PHP32.198/unit
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 167-3454
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-202TLF
Subtotal (50 units, in tubes of 50)
PHP6,110.30(exc. VAT)
PHP122.206/unit
In Stock
50 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.13 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-31
  • RS Stock No. 602-4131
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-31W 50k Ohm
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
PHP801.27(exc. VAT)
PHP160.254/unit
Temporarily out of stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-20
  • RS Stock No. 244-3628
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-20EP103
Subtotal (50 units, in bags of 50)
PHP4,973.50(exc. VAT)
PHP99.47/unit
In Stock
Vishay 536 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Bush, 536-1-1-501
  • RS Stock No. 850-9873
  • Mfr. Part No. 536B501
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,329.71(exc. VAT)
PHP2,329.71/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11S 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11S1V0FGSY00103JA
  • RS Stock No. 733-022
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FGSY00103JA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,101.84(exc. VAT)
PHP1,101.84/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11H 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, P11H1F0GHFW10472MA
  • RS Stock No. 239-8234
  • Mfr. Part No. P11H1F0GHFW10472MA
Subtotal (15 units, in boxes of 15)
PHP15,111.00(exc. VAT)
PHP1,007.40/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-20
  • RS Stock No. 474-7961
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-20EP 1k Ohm
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
PHP788.07(exc. VAT)
PHP157.614/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity M 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 404802692042
  • RS Stock No. 162-899
  • Mfr. Part No. 404802692042
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,573.70(exc. VAT)
PHP1,573.70/unit
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