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

6316 Products showing for Variable Resistors

120 of 316
Stocked by manufacturer
Allen Bradley 10 kΩ Push Button Potentiometer 1-Turns, 800T-U29
  • RS Stock No. 257-5398
  • Mfr. Part No. 800T-U29
Subtotal (1 unit)
£239.59(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 249-1491
  • Mfr. Part No. P16RP223MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£20.30(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns Adjustment Tool, For Use With 3223 And 3213, H-92-1: Trimmer Models 3342, Most Trimmer Shafts/Rotors, H-91:
  • RS Stock No. 743-2482
  • Mfr. Part No. H-92-1
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.08(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
50 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.2 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3306
  • RS Stock No. 167-3349
  • Mfr. Part No. 3306P-1-503
Subtotal (1 bag of 200 units)
£44.60(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay PE30 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FL223KLB
  • RS Stock No. 790-4473
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL223KLB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£45.69(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO 7.2 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 172-8227
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
£2,048.15(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 6639 1 kΩ Precision Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 6639S-5-102
  • RS Stock No. 222-6938
  • Mfr. Part No. 6639S-5-102
Subtotal (1 bag of 10 units)
£124.16(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 22.2 mm Knob Diameter Chrome Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 737-7704P
  • Mfr. Part No. H-22-6M
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£10.95(exc. VAT)
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.125 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST-32
  • RS Stock No. 244-4358
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-32ETA103
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
£5.83(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 91 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 827-4969P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91R1A-R22-B13L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£7.31(exc. VAT)
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 1 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS Stock No. 186-069P
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y203KB25
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£55.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 374-7027
  • Mfr. Part No. T63YB501KT20
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.51(exc. VAT)
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3299
  • RS Stock No. 162-2603
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299W-1-205LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£85.50(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 169-3138
  • Mfr. Part No. T63YB501KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£132.90(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 351 HE Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-0004
  • Mfr. Part No. 351HE0B4WA1S22
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£488.82(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 860 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 860B1102
  • RS Stock No. 294-3735
  • Mfr. Part No. 860B1102
Subtotal (1 unit)
£173.76(exc. VAT)
In Stock
OKW 20 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A3020069
  • RS Stock No. 283-2050
  • Mfr. Part No. A3020069
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.60(exc. VAT)
In Stock
250 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 785-9799
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296X-1-254LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.84(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 521-9417
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266X-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.37(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3310 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 522-0574P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310H-001-502L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£4.37(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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