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

5809 Products showing for Variable Resistors

93 of 291
In Stock
Bourns 3310 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 3310H-001-104L
  • RS Stock No. 737-7619
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310H-001-104L
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP533.60(exc. VAT)
PHP533.60/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 521-9647
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP153.24(exc. VAT)
PHP153.24/unit
In Stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2616040
  • RS Stock No. 283-2046
  • Mfr. Part No. A2616040
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP504.29(exc. VAT)
PHP504.29/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 167-3462
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-502LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP3,325.15(exc. VAT)
PHP66.503/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components M-22E10 10 kΩ Rotary Wirewound Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang, M-22E10 2K
  • RS Stock No. 244-4039
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10 2K
Subtotal (1 tray of 10 units)
PHP9,857.96(exc. VAT)
PHP985.796/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 157 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9511
  • Mfr. Part No. 157B203MX9001
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP24,983.54(exc. VAT)
PHP2,498.354/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 140 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9426
  • Mfr. Part No. 140B00103B10
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
PHP81,089.12(exc. VAT)
PHP8,108.912/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13.3 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 467-5945
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
PHP369.04(exc. VAT)
PHP36.904/unit
In Stock
Vishay 149 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 14910F0GJSX10501KA
  • RS Stock No. 484-8531
  • Mfr. Part No. 14910F0GJSX10501KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,034.49(exc. VAT)
PHP1,034.49/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 27 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 163-8384
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA502MMF50N
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
PHP38,586.50(exc. VAT)
PHP385.865/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4405
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA201
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
PHP401.44(exc. VAT)
PHP80.288/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Eaton M30 4.7 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Gang Screw, 188109 M30I-FR4K7
  • RS Stock No. 240-861
  • Mfr. Part No. 188109 M30I-FR4K7
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP6,174.89(exc. VAT)
PHP6,174.89/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-42
  • RS Stock No. 602-4951
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-42X 10k Ohm
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP1,476.32(exc. VAT)
PHP295.264/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK09K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 729-3574
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130A6S
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP98.60(exc. VAT)
PHP98.60/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components JP-30B 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, JP-30B 5K
  • RS Stock No. 182-5677
  • Mfr. Part No. JP-30B 5K
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP2,882.20(exc. VAT)
PHP2,882.20/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2520P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-203LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
PHP118.80(exc. VAT)
PHP118.80/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 161-7065
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296X-1-102LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
PHP4,547.20(exc. VAT)
PHP90.944/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7267
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ203KB25
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
PHP2,653.24(exc. VAT)
PHP530.648/unit
In Stock
Vishay 157 2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount, 157S202MX
  • RS Stock No. 294-3678
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S202MX
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP4,744.23(exc. VAT)
PHP4,744.23/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16F 100 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP104MA
  • RS Stock No. 652-945
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP104MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
PHP1,486.69(exc. VAT)
PHP1,486.69/unit
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