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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

282 of 322
In Stock
Vishay 149 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 484-8597P
  • Mfr. Part No. 14910F0GJSX10503KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£12.71(exc. VAT)
£12.71/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 14 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKPR1417NLT6
  • RS Stock No. 764-306
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKPR1417NLT6
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.23(exc. VAT)
£1.23/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 13 mm Knob Diameter Black Knob for 14 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMS1316NLD14
  • RS Stock No. 764-312
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMS1316NLD14
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.98(exc. VAT)
£4.98/unit
Currently unavailable
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3664
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EX103
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£4.84(exc. VAT)
£0.968/unit
In Stock
OKW Grey Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A4213008
  • RS Stock No. 283-2073
  • Mfr. Part No. A4213008
Subtotal (1 unit)
£0.47(exc. VAT)
£0.47/unit
In Stock
Bourns 91 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 161-6894
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-C28-B13L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
£183.15(exc. VAT)
£4.07/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P16 4.7 kΩ Knob Potentiometer Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NM472KAB15
  • RS Stock No. 733-017
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NM472KAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£23.65(exc. VAT)
£23.65/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4427
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETB103
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
£3.85(exc. VAT)
£0.77/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7223P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ102KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a box)
£47.00(exc. VAT)
£9.40/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity 23 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 161-5115
  • Mfr. Part No. 23ESB102MMF50NF
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£893.80(exc. VAT)
£4.469/unit
In Stock
20 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 154-1978
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W200KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.44(exc. VAT)
£2.44/unit
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 12.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Round Shaft, ACCKMP1325NLP14
  • RS Stock No. 425-030
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1325NLP14
Subtotal (1 box of 80 units)
£315.04(exc. VAT)
£3.938/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm, 020-4510 6 mm, Grey
  • RS Stock No. 243-9546
  • Mfr. Part No. 020-4510
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£371.90(exc. VAT)
£3.719/unit
In Stock
2.2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 785-9512P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-222LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£0.94(exc. VAT)
£0.94/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 13 mm Knob Diameter Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6.4 mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-6702
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£6.32(exc. VAT)
£0.632/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J Lead 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS Stock No. 653-018
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YJ203KR05
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
£3.33(exc. VAT)
£3.33/tape
Stocked by manufacturer
Through Hole Trimmer Resistor Side Adjust TE Connectivity, Citec
  • RS Stock No. 472-813
  • Mfr. Part No. 1623849-7
Subtotal (1 tube of 300 units)
£157.80(exc. VAT)
£0.526/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Nidec Components M-22E10 10 kΩ Rotary Wirewound Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang, M-22E10 50K
  • RS Stock No. 244-4041
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10 50K
Subtotal (1 tray of 10 units)
£110.87(exc. VAT)
£11.087/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16F 470 Ω Linear Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP471KA
  • RS Stock No. 652-959
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP471KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.28(exc. VAT)
£17.28/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 249 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-334P
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25504KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£6.20(exc. VAT)
£6.20/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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