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

6576 Products showing for Variable Resistors

7 of 329
In Stock
RS PRO P25 10 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7065P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP391.26(exc. VAT)
PHP391.26/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 157 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9474
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S202MX
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP41,338.15(exc. VAT)
PHP4,133.815/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P40 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7006P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP643.34(exc. VAT)
PHP643.34/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 534 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9502
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1502JL
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP23,203.75(exc. VAT)
PHP2,320.375/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 351 HE Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-0004
  • Mfr. Part No. 351HE0B4WA1S22
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP44,953.85(exc. VAT)
PHP4,495.385/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-3991
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETV102
Subtotal (1 tape of 1000 units)
PHP25,135.00(exc. VAT)
PHP25.135/unit
In Stock
RS PRO P40 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7040P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
PHP1,007.44(exc. VAT)
PHP1,007.44/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 29.8 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined
  • RS Stock No. 777-7331
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP399.59(exc. VAT)
PHP399.59/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Tele Rondo 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer DIN Rail, R2 1MOHM 0,1 - 1
  • RS Stock No. 287-1900
  • Mfr. Part No. R2 1MOHM 0,1 - 1
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,615.27(exc. VAT)
PHP1,615.27/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 157 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9473
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S103MX
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP41,338.15(exc. VAT)
PHP4,133.815/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 12 mm Knob Diameter Red, Black Potentiometer Knob for 4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6834
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP606.48(exc. VAT)
PHP121.296/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Eaton M22 470000 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 232236 M22S-R470K
  • RS Stock No. 272-2312
  • Mfr. Part No. 232236 M22S-R470K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP5,960.05(exc. VAT)
PHP5,960.05/unit
Temporarily out of stock
20 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 44
  • RS Stock No. 144-2102
  • Mfr. Part No. 44WR20KLFT7
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
PHP57,468.75(exc. VAT)
PHP229.875/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 357 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9768
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0202MAB251S22
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
PHP108,468.35(exc. VAT)
PHP2,169.367/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 157 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9481
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S202MB9002
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP57,453.87(exc. VAT)
PHP5,745.387/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 28 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 498-823
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP432.88(exc. VAT)
PHP432.88/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 149 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 167-9746
  • Mfr. Part No. 14921F0GJSX13502KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
PHP90,144.12(exc. VAT)
PHP1,502.402/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 30 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 465-9864
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP398.43(exc. VAT)
PHP398.43/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 498-839
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP367.17(exc. VAT)
PHP367.17/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK27 10 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 219-9130
  • Mfr. Part No. RK27112A00A5
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,185.12(exc. VAT)
PHP2,185.12/unit
1
7
329
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