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

6475 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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107 of 324
In Stock
2.5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS stock no. 785-9742
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-252LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 35,15(exc. VAT)
R 35,15/unit
In Stock
500 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS stock no. 796-4923
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224X-1-504E
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 67,13(exc. VAT)
R 67,13/unit
In Stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS stock no. 788-5085
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YA503KT20
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
R 159,77(exc. VAT)
R 31,954/unit
Temporarily out of stock
20 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS stock no. 787-0512
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266X-1-200LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 45,70(exc. VAT)
R 45,70/unit
In Stock
25 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS stock no. 787-0506
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-253LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 53,06(exc. VAT)
R 53,06/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS stock no. 788-5072
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YA102KT20
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
R 204,28(exc. VAT)
R 40,856/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns Protector 50.6 mm, For Use With Pushbutton Potentiometers
  • RS stock no. 167-3552
  • Mfr. Part No. H-385-2
Subtotal (50 units, in boxes of 50)
R 34 334,00(exc. VAT)
R 686,68/unit
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS stock no. 186-031
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y202KB25
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 1 107,73(exc. VAT)
R 1 107,73/unit
Last RS stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.13 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM3
  • RS stock no. 425-340
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM3ZJ203MR10
Subtotal (500 units, on reels of 500)
R 41 364,50(exc. VAT)
R 82,729/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS stock no. 425-368
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7X502KR10
Subtotal (1 unit, on tapes of 1)
R 60,62(exc. VAT)
R 60,62/tape
In Stock
2 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS stock no. 177-330
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-202E
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
R 134,19(exc. VAT)
R 26,838/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS stock no. 177-324
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-102E
Subtotal (5 units, in packs of 5)
R 134,19(exc. VAT)
R 26,838/unit
In Stock
TT Electronics/BI Panel Mount Adapter 19 mm, For Use With 89 Series Multi-Turn Trimmer Potentiometer
  • RS stock no. 144-2053
  • Mfr. Part No. 89BLF-19MM
Subtotal (50 units, in boxes of 50)
R 7 804,35(exc. VAT)
R 156,087/unit
In Stock
Bourns Protector 50.6 mm, For Use With Pushbutton Potentiometers
  • RS stock no. 248-6816
  • Mfr. Part No. H-385-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 873,70(exc. VAT)
R 873,70/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS stock no. 653-012
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ103KR05
Subtotal (1 unit, on tapes of 1)
R 75,42(exc. VAT)
R 75,42/tape
In Stock
5 Ω, Through Hole Through Hole Trimmer Resistor, Solder Pin 150 mW Top Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT10
  • RS stock no. 640-710
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10LV10473A2020S
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 5,77(exc. VAT)
R 5,77/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS stock no. 653-018
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ203KR05
Subtotal (1 unit, on tapes of 1)
R 75,42(exc. VAT)
R 75,42/tape
In Stock
10000 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3362
  • RS stock no. 445-934
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362S-1-103LF
Subtotal (2 units, in bags of 2)
R 26,89(exc. VAT)
R 13,445/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS stock no. 653-015
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ102KR05
Subtotal (1 unit, on tapes of 1)
R 135,12(exc. VAT)
R 135,12/tape
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 150 mW Top Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT10
  • RS stock no. 134-953
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10MV10-104A2020-S
Subtotal (25 units, in packs of 25)
R 161,85(exc. VAT)
R 6,474/unit
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