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    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

    6162 Products showing for Variable Resistors

    1 / 309
    Ohmite 1kW 1Ω Rheostat 31.6A, RUS1R0E
    • RS Stock No. 892-2456
    • Mfr. Part No. RUS1R0E
    Each
    MYR8,985.39
    Vishay 55W 330Ω Wirewound Rheostat, RT055AS3300KB
    • RS Stock No. 788-7719
    • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS3300KB
    Each
    MYR3,891.42
    Vishay 55W 10kΩ Wirewound Rheostat, RT055AS1002KB
    • RS Stock No. 167-9886
    • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS1002KB
    Each (In a Pack of 25)
    MYR3,498.02
    TE Connectivity SP2 10kΩ Linear Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP2-50
    • RS Stock No. 893-7329P
    • Mfr. Part No. SP2-50
    Each (Supplied in a Box)
    MYR2,044.45
    TE Connectivity SP2 10kΩ Linear Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP2-50
    • RS Stock No. 893-7329
    • Mfr. Part No. SP2-50
    Each
    MYR2,044.45
    Nidec Components 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang, CRV16-00-502
    • RS Stock No. 202-4415
    • Mfr. Part No. CRV16-00-502
    1 Box of 50
    MYR1,794.38
    Vishay 25W 22Ω Wirewound Rheostat, RT025AS22R0KB
    • RS Stock No. 788-7826
    • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS22R0KB
    Each
    MYR1,554.53
    Vishay 25W 15Ω Wirewound Rheostat, RT025AS15R0KB
    • RS Stock No. 788-7801
    • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS15R0KB
    Each
    MYR1,381.91
    TE Connectivity SP1 10kΩ Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP1-50
    • RS Stock No. 893-7203
    • Mfr. Part No. SP1-50
    Each
    MYR1,790.47
    TE Connectivity SP1 10kΩ Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP1-50
    • RS Stock No. 893-7203P
    • Mfr. Part No. SP1-50
    Each (Supplied in a Box)
    MYR1,790.47
    TE Connectivity SP1 10kΩ Linear Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP1-25
    • RS Stock No. 893-7278
    • Mfr. Part No. SP1-25
    Each
    MYR1,722.06
    Arcol Ohmite 150W 15Ω Rheostat 3.16A, RLS15RE
    • RS Stock No. 891-5581
    • Mfr. Part No. RLS15RE
    Each
    MYR1,392.46
    Arcol Ohmite 100W 50Ω Linear Rheostat 1.41A, RKS50RE
    • RS Stock No. 144-5539
    • Mfr. Part No. RKS50RE
    Each
    MYR1,291.76
    Allen Bradley Pushbutton Potentiometer, 800T-U29
    • RS Stock No. 257-5398
    • Mfr. Part No. 800T-U29
    Each
    MYR1,622.91
    Vishay 25W 2.2kΩ Wirewound Rheostat, RT025AS2201KB
    • RS Stock No. 795-4847
    • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS2201KB
    Each
    MYR1,222.00
    Apem SN 10kΩ Linear T-Bar Fader Panel Mount, SN104SB
    • RS Stock No. 922-8787
    • Mfr. Part No. SN104SB
    Each
    MYR837.46
    Vishay 830 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 3-Turns 1-Gang Bushing Mount, 830-1-1-103
    • RS Stock No. 850-9404
    • Mfr. Part No. 830-1-1-103
    Each
    MYR799.65
    Vishay PE30 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FL103KAB
    • RS Stock No. 790-4445
    • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL103KAB
    Each
    MYR214.18
    Vishay 860 1kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 860B1102
    • RS Stock No. 167-9345
    • Mfr. Part No. 860B1102
    Each (In a Box of 10)
    MYR1,104.274
    Eaton RMQ-Titan Potentiometer, 229489 M22-R1K
    • RS Stock No. 620-6024
    • Mfr. Part No. 229489 M22-R1K
    Each
    MYR633.42
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