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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

277 of 322
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4441
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETB503
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
£703.50(exc. VAT)
£1.407/unit
In Stock
Bourns 22.2 mm Knob Diameter Chrome Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular, H-22-6M
  • RS Stock No. 737-7704
  • Mfr. Part No. H-22-6M
Subtotal (1 unit)
£11.51(exc. VAT)
£11.51/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P13 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13OAB103MAB17
  • RS Stock No. 733-009
  • Mfr. Part No. P13OAB103MAB17
Subtotal (1 unit)
£25.82(exc. VAT)
£25.82/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Nidec Components M 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel, M-22S10 100
  • RS Stock No. 182-5649
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22S10 100
Subtotal (1 unit)
£26.39(exc. VAT)
£26.39/unit
In Stock
Vishay P13SM 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 753-7316P
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFRS103MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£79.83(exc. VAT)
£79.83/unit
Last RS stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust VPG Foil Resistors, 1240
  • RS Stock No. 763-7163P
  • Mfr. Part No. Y4053500R000J0L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£58.72(exc. VAT)
£58.72/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11P 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 743-5731P
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GJSY00103KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£15.19(exc. VAT)
£15.19/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 13.5 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 277-631
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16FNP222MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£11.93(exc. VAT)
£11.93/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, SM-4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4319
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-43TW103
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
£1,253.25(exc. VAT)
£5.013/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 64X
  • RS Stock No. 169-3092
  • Mfr. Part No. M64X502KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£300.00(exc. VAT)
£1.50/unit
In Stock
2.2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 785-9767
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-222LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.04(exc. VAT)
£2.04/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
Eaton Eaton Moeller 10000 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 188114 M30I-FR10K
  • RS Stock No. 272-1385
  • Mfr. Part No. 188114 M30I-FR10K
Subtotal (1 unit)
£66.31(exc. VAT)
£66.31/unit
Temporarily out of stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 82
  • RS Stock No. 144-2081
  • Mfr. Part No. 82MR1KLFTB
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£133.90(exc. VAT)
£1.339/unit
In Stock
Vishay 149 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 484-8632P
  • Mfr. Part No. 14910F0GJSX10105KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£13.98(exc. VAT)
£13.98/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 22 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 13.5 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 277-634
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16FNP223MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£11.93(exc. VAT)
£11.93/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3310 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 3310P-001-504L
  • RS Stock No. 691-6917
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310P-001-504L
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.54(exc. VAT)
£2.54/unit
In Stock
Sifam 11.5 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob Cap for 6 mm Shaft Axial, C111-GRY
  • RS Stock No. 225-833
  • Mfr. Part No. C111-GRY
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£4.70(exc. VAT)
£0.47/unit
Stocked by manufacturer
220 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 150 mW Horizontal TE Connectivity, CB10
  • RS Stock No. 817-419
  • Mfr. Part No. 1630480-7
Subtotal (1 pack of 1000 units)
£186.00(exc. VAT)
£0.186/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2520
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-203LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.70(exc. VAT)
£1.70/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P13 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13LFG102MAB10
  • RS Stock No. 732-985
  • Mfr. Part No. P13LFG102MAB10
Subtotal (1 unit)
£27.21(exc. VAT)
£27.21/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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