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

6460 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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117 of 323
In Stock
Vishay 19 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft
  • RS stock no. 425-024
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1925NLP6
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 124,86(exc. VAT)
R 124,86/unit
Last RS stock
Vishay 12.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMP1316NLS14
  • RS stock no. 425-032
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1316NLS14
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
R 21 474,00(exc. VAT)
R 107,37/unit
In Stock
Vishay 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMR1617NLT6
  • RS stock no. 764-308
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMR1617NLT6
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 130,22(exc. VAT)
R 130,22/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 13.5 mm Shaft Circular, PA16FNP472MA
  • RS stock no. 277-642
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16FNP472MA
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
R 4 760,68(exc. VAT)
R 238,034/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob Cap 14.5 mm, 040-3035, Red
  • RS stock no. 243-9581
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-3035
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
R 3 357,60(exc. VAT)
R 33,576/unit
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm 6 mm, Black
  • RS stock no. 243-9545
  • Mfr. Part No. 020-4425
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 120,91(exc. VAT)
R 120,91/unit
In Stock
Vishay 18 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKPR1817NLT6
  • RS stock no. 764-307
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKPR1817NLT6
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 65,68(exc. VAT)
R 65,68/unit
In Stock
Vishay 12.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft
  • RS stock no. 425-034
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1316NLS14
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 123,66(exc. VAT)
R 123,66/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm, 020-4510 6 mm, Grey
  • RS stock no. 243-9546
  • Mfr. Part No. 020-4510
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
R 9 527,30(exc. VAT)
R 95,273/unit
In Stock
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 10 mm Shaft Circular, P16FNM103MA
  • RS stock no. 444-757
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNM103MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 495,06(exc. VAT)
R 495,06/unit
In Stock
Vishay 19.05 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMR1922NLPDV
  • RS stock no. 807-252
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMR1922NLPDV
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 275,45(exc. VAT)
R 275,45/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)
R 227,95(exc. VAT)
R 45,59/unit
In Stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 0.25 in Shaft Round Shaft, A3316007
  • RS stock no. 283-2061
  • Mfr. Part No. A3316007
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 40,47(exc. VAT)
R 40,47/unit
Temporarily out of stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A3216009
  • RS stock no. 283-2058
  • Mfr. Part No. A3216009
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 37,37(exc. VAT)
R 37,37/unit
In Stock
OKW 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A4120100
  • RS stock no. 283-2066
  • Mfr. Part No. A4120100
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 34,65(exc. VAT)
R 34,65/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P11P 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11P1F0GGSY00502KA
  • RS stock no. 743-5712
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GGSY00502KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 344,20(exc. VAT)
R 344,20/unit
In Stock
OKW 33 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, B8033068
  • RS stock no. 283-2141
  • Mfr. Part No. B8033068
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 159,23(exc. VAT)
R 159,23/unit
In Stock
PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A PC-16 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Bracket Mount,
  • RS stock no. 181-227
  • Mfr. Part No. PC16SH-07IP04-103A2020-TA
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
R 150,23(exc. VAT)
R 75,115/unit
In Stock
OKW Grey Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A4213008
  • RS stock no. 283-2073
  • Mfr. Part No. A4213008
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 11,67(exc. VAT)
R 11,67/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16F 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS stock no. 298-417
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP104KACV1D
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 434,76(exc. VAT)
R 434,76/unit
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