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

6382 Products showing for Variable Resistors

262 of 320
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 161-7083
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362X-1-502LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
R 856,10(exc. VAT)
R 17,122/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 246-3327
  • Mfr. Part No. TC33X-2-203E
Subtotal (1 tape of 10 units)
R 36,06(exc. VAT)
R 3,606/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 790-4489P
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL474KAB
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
R 523,04(exc. VAT)
R 523,04/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 100-1149P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-202E
Subtotal 10 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
R 201,53(exc. VAT)
R 20,153/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 177-346P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-502E
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
R 136,90(exc. VAT)
R 27,38/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 329-021
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP102MAB15CV1F
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 349,51(exc. VAT)
R 349,51/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 842-7129P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
R 251,11(exc. VAT)
R 251,11/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS stock no. 182-5649
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22S10 100
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 602,02(exc. VAT)
R 602,02/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 783-0142
  • Mfr. Part No. KLN1250A1/4
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 249,19(exc. VAT)
R 249,19/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 790-4299
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR472KAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 631,73(exc. VAT)
R 631,73/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 796-4920
  • Mfr. Part No. 3214J-1-101E
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 44,26(exc. VAT)
R 44,26/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS stock no. 167-9886
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS1002KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
R 331 479,40(exc. VAT)
R 13 259,176/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS stock no. 167-3360
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296P-1-204LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
R 1 551,30(exc. VAT)
R 31,026/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS stock no. 652-4906
  • Mfr. Part No. 416MA101P
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
R 161,29(exc. VAT)
R 16,129/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 522-5153P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-D15L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
R 146,37(exc. VAT)
R 146,37/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 737-7782
  • Mfr. Part No. PTA4544-2015DPA103
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 46,24(exc. VAT)
R 46,24/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 891-5581
  • Mfr. Part No. RLS15RE
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 9 368,83(exc. VAT)
R 9 368,83/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS stock no. 269-2447
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS14R-10025-503B1
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
R 2 353,80(exc. VAT)
R 23,538/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS stock no. 460-7532P
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1201JL
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
R 637,36(exc. VAT)
R 637,36/unit
In Stock
  • RS stock no. 743-5737
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GJSY00502KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
R 351,14(exc. VAT)
R 351,14/unit
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