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

6321 Products showing for Variable Resistors

8 / 317
In Stock
Radiohm POTM 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 05.061.5100
  • RS Stock No. 468-8705
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.5100
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR23.60
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK09K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole, RK09K1130AP5
  • RS Stock No. 729-3600
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130AP5
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR6.92
In Stock
TT Electronics/BI 22.2 mm Knob Diameter Multiturn Dial for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, 2696
  • RS Stock No. 144-2052
  • Mfr. Part No. 2696
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
MYR1,055.16
Last RS stock
Alps Alpine RK09L 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Through Hole, RK09L12B0A31
  • RS Stock No. 729-3436
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09L12B0A31
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR10.81
In Stock
Better World
Schneider Electric XB5 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R100K
  • RS Stock No. 125-4405
  • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R100K
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR611.05
In Stock
Better World
Schneider Electric XB5 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R4K7
  • RS Stock No. 125-4410
  • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R4K7
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR419.67
In Stock
RS PRO 19 mm Knob Diameter Nut Cover for 6.35 mm Shaft Spindle
  • RS Stock No. 463-8570
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
MYR88.61
In Stock
Radiohm POTM 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 05.061.6100
  • RS Stock No. 468-8749
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.6100
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR16.48
In Stock
OKW 23 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A3123639
  • RS Stock No. 283-2056
  • Mfr. Part No. A3123639
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR40.46
In Stock
TE Connectivity 33 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, PKES120B1/4
  • RS Stock No. 783-0154
  • Mfr. Part No. PKES120B1/4
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR13.38
Being discontinued
Alps Alpine RK14K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Through Hole, RK14K12D0A1X
  • RS Stock No. 154-8182
  • Mfr. Part No. RK14K12D0A1X
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
MYR46.94
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 90
  • RS Stock No. 144-2074
  • Mfr. Part No. 90PR1KLFTB
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
MYR364.225
In Stock
5 Ω Through Hole Trimmer Resistor 0.07 W PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT 10
  • RS Stock No. 640-712
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10LH01222A2020S
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR1.56
In Stock
Sifam 15.5 mm Knob Diameter Potentiometer Knob Cap, C150 VARIOUS
  • RS Stock No. 252-7027
  • Mfr. Part No. C150 VARIOUS
Subtotal (1 pack of 20 units)
MYR25.90
In Stock
Sifam 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob Cap for 13.5 mm Shaft D Shaped, 3/02/DRN110 006 /1004 /236
  • RS Stock No. 252-7015
  • Mfr. Part No. 3/02/DRN110 006 /1004 /236
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
MYR18.54
In Stock
RS PRO P25 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7103
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR109.28
Being discontinued
Alps Alpine RK 168 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 4-Gang Through Hole, RK16814MGA0K
  • RS Stock No. 154-8223
  • Mfr. Part No. RK16814MGA0K
Subtotal (1 bag of 1 unit)
MYR67.43
In Stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.1 W Top Adjust PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT6
  • RS Stock No. 181-246
  • Mfr. Part No. PT6KV-502A2020
Subtotal (1 bag of 25 units)
MYR45.075
Last RS stock
Alps Alpine RK09K 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Through Hole, RK09K12A0A6R
  • RS Stock No. 154-8163
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K12A0A6R
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
MYR54.44
Being discontinued
Alps Alpine RK09L 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09L1220A1B
  • RS Stock No. 729-3432
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09L1220A1B
Subtotal (1 unit)
MYR11.16
1
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317
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