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

6432 Products showing for Variable Resistors

165 of 322
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-3408
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-200LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£44.50(exc. VAT)
£0.89/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 167-5173
  • Mfr. Part No. PDA241-HRT02-504A2
Subtotal (1 box of 560 units)
£1,291.92(exc. VAT)
£2.307/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 748-1355P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3306W-1-502
Subtotal 10 units (supplied in a bag)
£2.46(exc. VAT)
£0.246/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 246-3326
  • Mfr. Part No. TC33X-2-203E
Subtotal (1 reel of 2500 units)
£275.00(exc. VAT)
£0.11/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-3601
  • Mfr. Part No. 3540S-1-501L
Subtotal (1 tray of 25 units)
£400.30(exc. VAT)
£16.012/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 425-350P
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y102KR32
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
£2.13(exc. VAT)
£2.13/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
  • RS Stock No. 167-9741
  • Mfr. Part No. 14820F0GJSX13103KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
£967.20(exc. VAT)
£16.12/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 691-2580
  • Mfr. Part No. 3269W-1-503LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.11(exc. VAT)
£3.11/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 107-860
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.17(exc. VAT)
£5.17/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 788-5110
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YB502KT20
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£9.00(exc. VAT)
£1.80/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 763-9179
  • Mfr. Part No. H-516-3A
Subtotal (1 unit)
£8.18(exc. VAT)
£8.18/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 329-029
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP472MAB15CV1F
Subtotal (1 unit)
£15.10(exc. VAT)
£15.10/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 181-243
  • Mfr. Part No. PT10LV10-501A2020-S
Subtotal (1 bag of 25 units)
£6.025(exc. VAT)
£0.241/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 288-8840
  • Mfr. Part No. PC16SH10IP06-104A2020-ITA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.17(exc. VAT)
£5.17/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 502-8558P
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1500KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£10.84(exc. VAT)
£10.84/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 732-967
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30MEFD103KAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£40.71(exc. VAT)
£40.71/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 269-2430
  • Mfr. Part No. PRS11R-225F-S103B1
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
£175.00(exc. VAT)
£1.75/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 240-1607P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3214W-1-104E
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£9.00(exc. VAT)
£1.80/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 445-919
  • Mfr. Part No. 3313J-1-202E
Subtotal (1 bag of 2 units)
£2.36(exc. VAT)
£1.18/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 468-0723
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£13.71(exc. VAT)
£1.371/unit
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