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

6380 Products showing for Variable Resistors

6 of 319
In Stock
Better World
Schneider Electric XB5 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R100K
  • RS Stock No. 125-4405
  • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R100K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP7,791.25(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Radiohm POTM 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 05.061.5470
  • RS Stock No. 468-8733
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.5470
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP274.45(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Better World
Schneider Electric XB5 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R1K
  • RS Stock No. 125-4407
  • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP5,223.48(exc. VAT)
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-20
  • RS Stock No. 474-8009
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-20EP 10k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP788.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 474-9030
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13P 50k Ohm (503)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP318.69(exc. VAT)
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 475-5928
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13SR 10k Ohm (103)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP377.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, RJ-5
  • RS Stock No. 474-7236
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-5EW 500 Ohm
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP345.25(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK27 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 234-6617
  • Mfr. Part No. RK27112MC01P
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP3,520.74(exc. VAT)
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3655
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EW203
Subtotal (1 bag of 50 units)
PHP4,664.80(exc. VAT)
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 474-9260
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13PR 1k Ohm (102)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP377.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
TT Electronics/BI Panel Mount Adapter 19 mm, For Use With 89 Series Multi-Turn Trimmer Potentiometer
  • RS Stock No. 144-2209
  • Mfr. Part No. 89BLF-19MM
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP474.88(exc. VAT)
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 474-9311
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13PR 20k Ohm (203)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP377.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Nidec Components, RJ-13
  • RS Stock No. 474-9333
  • Mfr. Part No. RJ-13PR 100k Ohm (104)
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP377.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO P25 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7103
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,443.25(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO P25 10 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7065
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP391.26(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO P40 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7093
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP738.14(exc. VAT)
In Stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-6
  • RS Stock No. 474-7034
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-6EP 200k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP276.07(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Lovato LPCP 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, LPCPA001
  • RS Stock No. 224-7360
  • Mfr. Part No. LPCPA001
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP7,543.57(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO P25 50 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0733
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP6,886.80(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO P25 50 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7071P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP403.78(exc. VAT)
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