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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

6430 Products showing for Variable Resistors

249 of 322
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 167-9989
  • Mfr. Part No. T93XB104KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£68.50(exc. VAT)
£1.37/unit
Temporarily out of stock
200 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 167-0108
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224X-1-201E
Subtotal (1 reel of 200 units)
£392.00(exc. VAT)
£1.96/unit
Last RS stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust VPG Foil Resistors, 1240
  • RS Stock No. 763-7160P
  • Mfr. Part No. Y40532K00000J0L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£36.03(exc. VAT)
£36.03/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO NP32HS 5 kΩ Rotary Conductive Plastic Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7169P
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£13.83(exc. VAT)
£13.83/unit
Last RS stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm 6 mm, Grey
  • RS Stock No. 243-9564
  • Mfr. Part No. 023-4410
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.60(exc. VAT)
£5.60/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns 91 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 161-6892
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-G28-B15L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
£269.55(exc. VAT)
£5.99/unit
In Stock
470 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6888P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB471MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£19.52(exc. VAT)
£3.904/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay 534 200Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1201JL
  • RS Stock No. 167-9498
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1201JL
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£241.14(exc. VAT)
£24.114/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Nidec Components JC10 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang, JC10-000-103N
  • RS Stock No. 244-4012
  • Mfr. Part No. JC10-000-103N
Subtotal (1 unit)
£7.83(exc. VAT)
£7.83/unit
Currently unavailable
Ohmite 225 W 100 Ω Rheostat 1.5A, RPS100E
  • RS Stock No. 892-2403
  • Mfr. Part No. RPS100E
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£2,077.26(exc. VAT)
£207.726/unit
In Stock
RS PRO Potentiometer Knob 16.2 mm 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 302-692
Subtotal (1 pack of 20 units)
£8.96(exc. VAT)
£0.448/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 534 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 486-7144P
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1501JC8872
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£23.62(exc. VAT)
£23.62/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Siemens 1000 Ω Rotary Potentiometer Screw, ASZ7.5/1000 / S55845-Z106
  • RS Stock No. 636-583
  • Mfr. Part No. ASZ7.5/1000 / S55845-Z106
Subtotal (1 unit)
£229.94(exc. VAT)
£229.94/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Alps Alpine RK09L 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09L1140A2U
  • RS Stock No. 172-8073
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09L1140A2U
Subtotal (1 tray of 100 units)
£125.00(exc. VAT)
£1.25/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, FT-63
  • RS Stock No. 244-4009
  • Mfr. Part No. FT-63ETV503
Subtotal (1 tape of 1000 units)
£179.00(exc. VAT)
£0.179/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 89
  • RS Stock No. 144-2057
  • Mfr. Part No. 89PR100KLFTB
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
£37.20(exc. VAT)
£1.488/unit
In Stock
Nidec Components MC1003 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 3-Turns 1-Gang, MC1003-000-103
  • RS Stock No. 244-4061
  • Mfr. Part No. MC1003-000-103
Subtotal (1 tray of 5 units)
£93.71(exc. VAT)
£18.742/unit
In Stock
1 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
  • RS Stock No. 425-366
  • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y105KR32
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
£2.13(exc. VAT)
£2.13/tape
In Stock
Vishay P11L 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-0045
  • Mfr. Part No. P11L1V0FLSY00502KA
Subtotal (1 box of 40 units)
£476.00(exc. VAT)
£11.90/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity 27 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 164-5242
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA103MMF50NF
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£391.70(exc. VAT)
£3.917/unit
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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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