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.

Take a look at our voltage divider calculator to work out the output voltage of a resistor divider circuit for a given set of resistor values and source voltage in seconds.

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.

Check out our Ohm’s Law calculator to accurately calculate Ohm’s Law and determine the Voltage, resistance, or current value you require for your installation.

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

6320 Products showing for Variable Resistors

120 of 316
In Stock
470 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 787-0770
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-1-474LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.22(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P13 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13LFL103MAB10
  • RS Stock No. 790-4259
  • Mfr. Part No. P13LFL103MAB10
Subtotal (1 unit)
£25.50(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 55 W 4.7 kΩ Wirewound Rheostat 0.16A
  • RS Stock No. 788-7712
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS4701KB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£831.96(exc. VAT)
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 788-5094P
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YA104KT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£9.06(exc. VAT)
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, PV36
  • RS Stock No. 181-4455
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36W102C01B00
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£5.75(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3547 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 3-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-4526
  • Mfr. Part No. 3547S-1AA-502A
Subtotal (1 tray of 5 units)
£108.85(exc. VAT)
In Stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 521-9293
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-503LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.50(exc. VAT)
Last RS stock
Arcol Ohmite 5000 Ω Linear Potentiometer, CMU5021E
  • RS Stock No. 263-4232
  • Mfr. Part No. CMU5021E
Subtotal (1 box of 2 units)
£47.61(exc. VAT)
Last RS stock
Vishay ACCSUIPMWIPERKB435 Wiper Membrane
  • RS Stock No. 250-5054
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCSUIPMWIPERKB435
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£159.34(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay PE30 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FL104KAB
  • RS Stock No. 790-4448
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL104KAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£42.73(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 17.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 167-9595
  • Mfr. Part No. 15A33B10
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£402.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3310 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 3310P-001-103L
  • RS Stock No. 691-6885
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310P-001-103L
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.15(exc. VAT)
In Stock
50 Ω, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Plated 0.25 W Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 445-912
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266P-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
£5.62(exc. VAT)
Currently unavailable
1 mΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 167-3231
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224W-1-105E
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
£462.50(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 25 W 4.7 Ω Wirewound Rheostat 2.3kA, RT025AS4R70KB
  • RS Stock No. 168-0128
  • Mfr. Part No. RT025AS4R70KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
£6,382.975(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NP223MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 790-4417
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP223MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.65(exc. VAT)
Limited stock
Bourns 91 25 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 522-5232P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-E17L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£6.14(exc. VAT)
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Surface Mount Trimmer Resistor, Terminal Pure Sn (Code E3) 500 mW Side Adjust Vishay, M64
  • RS Stock No. 607-350
  • Mfr. Part No. M64Z103KB40
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£8.22(exc. VAT)
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 743-2255P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-7-104LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.78(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16F 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 329-043
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP102MARSD
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.66(exc. VAT)
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Guides & Articles

Variable Resistors Guide
From types to applications, discover all you need to know about variable resistors in our handy guide.
Read More
Potentiometers Guide
Our potentiometers guide will help you understand their uses, how they work, the various types and characteristics.
Read more
Rheostats Guide
Our rheostats guide explains their uses, how they work, the different types, and how they differ from potentiometers.
Read more

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