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

6430 Products showing for Variable Resistors

245 of 322
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  • RS Stock No. 239-748
  • Mfr. Part No. 188108 M30I-FR1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
£66.97(exc. VAT)
£66.97/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 504-2611
  • Mfr. Part No. P9A1R100FISX1102MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£16.57(exc. VAT)
£16.57/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 283-2013
  • Mfr. Part No. A1024068
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.47(exc. VAT)
£5.47/unit
New product - Preorder today
  • RS Stock No. 829-524
  • Mfr. Part No. GN.56803
Subtotal (1 unit)
£45.74(exc. VAT)
£45.74/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4415P
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA502
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£3.85(exc. VAT)
£0.77/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 144-2219
  • Mfr. Part No. 67WR2KLF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£8.77(exc. VAT)
£1.754/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 173-0749
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
£204.10(exc. VAT)
£4.082/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4018
  • Mfr. Part No. JT22-120-500
Subtotal (1 box of 5 units)
£400.01(exc. VAT)
£80.002/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 243-9611
  • Mfr. Part No. K1-PR-S60
Subtotal (1 box of 40 units)
£451.64(exc. VAT)
£11.291/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 787-0742P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-1-223LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.34(exc. VAT)
£1.34/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-5406
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224X-1-102E
Subtotal (1 reel of 200 units)
£370.00(exc. VAT)
£1.85/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 161-6945
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-200E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
£383.00(exc. VAT)
£0.766/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-0934
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362P-1-202LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£0.85(exc. VAT)
£0.85/unit
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 763-7179P
  • Mfr. Part No. Y005610K0000K0L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£32.17(exc. VAT)
£32.17/unit
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 243-9575
  • Mfr. Part No. 040-1065
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£132.70(exc. VAT)
£1.327/unit
Currently unavailable
  • RS Stock No. 753-7271P
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFGS102MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£90.06(exc. VAT)
£90.06/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 692-8496P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3549H-1AA-102A
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£36.57(exc. VAT)
£36.57/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 607-323
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1101JC
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£268.87(exc. VAT)
£26.887/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
  • RS Stock No. 607-382
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR473MAB
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£224.32(exc. VAT)
£22.432/unit
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 162-2464
  • Mfr. Part No. T18501KT10
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
£44.00(exc. VAT)
£1.76/unit
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