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

6282 Products showing for Variable Resistors

207 of 315
In Stock
RS PRO 11.6 mm Knob Diameter Red, Black Potentiometer Knob for 3.18 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS stock no. 259-6806
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
R 182,71(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 93 250 kΩ Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS stock no. 522-5349P
  • Mfr. Part No. 93R1A-R22-A22L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
R 169,22(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 249 25 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 249FGJS0XB25253KA
  • RS stock no. 410-211
  • Mfr. Part No. 249FGJS0XB25253KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 358,49(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 91 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS stock no. 789-9434P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1D-C24-A15L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
R 153,23(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3310 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS stock no. 167-3515
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310Y-001-104L
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
R 1 973,95(exc. VAT)
In Stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2516060
  • RS stock no. 283-2032
  • Mfr. Part No. A2516060
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 108,32(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS stock no. 522-2384P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-501LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
R 29,70(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay Panel Dial for Rheostat
  • RS stock no. 788-5189P
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCRFCADRANCG78
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
R 1 903,40(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 249 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS stock no. 167-9592
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25104KA
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
R 14 515,20(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P11S 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS stock no. 790-4372P
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00101KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
R 350,39(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Nidec Components CRV16 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang
  • RS stock no. 244-3603
  • Mfr. Part No. CRV16-00-502
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 98,23(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns Adjustment Tool, For Use With Trimmer Models 3342, Trimmer Models 3224 And 3214, Most Trimmer Shafts/Rotors, 3223
  • RS stock no. 743-2479
  • Mfr. Part No. H-90
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 103,92(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS stock no. 169-3075
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W501KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
R 11 245,80(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16F 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS stock no. 298-414
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP103MACV1D
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 420,26(exc. VAT)
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS stock no. 167-3477
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-502LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
R 1 117,80(exc. VAT)
In Stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS stock no. 691-7651P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-101LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
R 34,62(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay P16F 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP104MARSD
  • RS stock no. 329-047
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP104MARSD
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
R 7 218,48(exc. VAT)
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS stock no. 691-7664P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-201LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
R 37,30(exc. VAT)
In Stock
25 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS stock no. 521-9568
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296P-1-253LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 37,31(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P11S 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS stock no. 790-4390P
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00501KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
R 322,39(exc. VAT)
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