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

75 of 331
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns PRS14R 500 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB, PRS14R-20022-103A3
  • RS Stock No. 269-2451
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS14R-20022-103A3
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
PHP8,310.40(exc. VAT)
PHP83.104/unit
In Stock
OKW 37.8 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A1438461
  • RS Stock No. 283-2028
  • Mfr. Part No. A1438461
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP915.51(exc. VAT)
PHP915.51/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4320
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-43TW103
Subtotal (1 tape of 2 units)
PHP436.69(exc. VAT)
PHP218.345/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11S 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11S1V0FLSY00504KA
  • RS Stock No. 790-4397
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00504KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP982.74(exc. VAT)
PHP982.74/unit
Last RS stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.2 W Top Adjust TE Connectivity, 416
  • RS Stock No. 652-4170
  • Mfr. Part No. 416MA103P
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP635.15(exc. VAT)
PHP63.515/unit
Currently unavailable
Elma Potentiometer Knob Cap 10 mm, Red
  • RS Stock No. 243-9571
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-1035
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP176.55(exc. VAT)
PHP176.55/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3269
  • RS Stock No. 691-2586
  • Mfr. Part No. 3269W-1-502GLF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP244.76(exc. VAT)
PHP244.76/unit
In Stock
RS PRO Potentiometer Knob 32 mm 6.4 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 107-860
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP308.25(exc. VAT)
PHP308.25/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 15 mm Knob Diameter Silver Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 498-889
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP323.18(exc. VAT)
PHP323.18/unit
In Stock
PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A SMC-10 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer Panel, SMC-10 V10 103 A 2020 MTA
  • RS Stock No. 640-688
  • Mfr. Part No. SMC-10 V10 103 A 2020 MTA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP180.72(exc. VAT)
PHP180.72/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.1 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST-2A
  • RS Stock No. 602-5651
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-2A 20k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP395.38(exc. VAT)
PHP79.076/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7080
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386W-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP2,994.45(exc. VAT)
PHP59.889/unit
In Stock
20 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 43P
  • RS Stock No. 162-647
  • Mfr. Part No. M43P200KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP218.74(exc. VAT)
PHP218.74/unit
In Stock
Eaton M30C 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 187043 M30C-FR47K-BLANK
  • RS Stock No. 274-1153
  • Mfr. Part No. 187043 M30C-FR47K-BLANK
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP5,550.86(exc. VAT)
PHP5,550.86/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 167-3209
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224W-1-204E
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
PHP36,652.00(exc. VAT)
PHP146.608/unit
Currently unavailable
Alps Alpine RS30 50 kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole, RS3011114010
  • RS Stock No. 249-9395
  • Mfr. Part No. RS3011114010
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP248.91(exc. VAT)
PHP248.91/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 19.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 588-686
Subtotal (1 pack of 4 units)
PHP437.50(exc. VAT)
PHP109.375/unit
In Stock
Bourns 22.8 mm Knob Diameter Black, Chrome Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 770-3236P
  • Mfr. Part No. H-516-6M
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
PHP530.28(exc. VAT)
PHP530.28/unit
In Stock
Bourns PRS12R 10 kΩ Rotary Audio Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang PCB
  • RS Stock No. 269-2437
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS12R-2125K-103B1
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP189.08(exc. VAT)
PHP189.08/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components JC10 5 kΩ Rotary Conductive Plastic Potentiometer 1-Turns Through Hole, JC10-000-502N
  • RS Stock No. 602-3699
  • Mfr. Part No. JC10-000-502N
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP672.80(exc. VAT)
PHP672.80/unit
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