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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

6408 Products showing for Variable Resistors

282 of 321
In Stock
Vishay P16F 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 298-405
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP102KACV1D
Subtotal (1 unit)
£18.86(exc. VAT)
£18.86/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3673
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EX502
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£3.46(exc. VAT)
£0.692/unit
In Stock
Vishay PE30 22 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel
  • RS Stock No. 607-375
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR223MAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£28.97(exc. VAT)
£28.97/unit
In Stock
Vishay 357 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9753
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0103MXB054506
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
£1,777.65(exc. VAT)
£35.553/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PRV6 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PRV6SAABGYB25102KA
  • RS Stock No. 732-991
  • Mfr. Part No. PRV6SAABGYB25102KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£10.11(exc. VAT)
£10.11/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3642
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EW101
Subtotal (1 pack of 2 units)
£3.25(exc. VAT)
£1.625/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 387-739P
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624139-2
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£6.91(exc. VAT)
£6.91/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 743-2439P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-502LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.60(exc. VAT)
£1.60/unit
In Stock
Bourns 82 250 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 770-3208P
  • Mfr. Part No. 82A1D-Z28-BA0/255L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tray)
£13.41(exc. VAT)
£13.41/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P16 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16YP103MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 249-1507
  • Mfr. Part No. P16YP103MAB15
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
£255.80(exc. VAT)
£12.79/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PA16 10 kΩ Knob Potentiometer Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PA16NP103MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 732-966
  • Mfr. Part No. PA16NP103MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£14.38(exc. VAT)
£14.38/unit
In Stock
25 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 161-6984
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-250LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£57.50(exc. VAT)
£1.15/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST4
  • RS Stock No. 244-4405
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4ETA201
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
£2.75(exc. VAT)
£0.55/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7084
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-502LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£47.60(exc. VAT)
£0.952/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay PE30 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FL502MAB
  • RS Stock No. 733-037
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL502MAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£28.97(exc. VAT)
£28.97/unit
Temporarily out of stock
500 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2946P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386X-1-504LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.54(exc. VAT)
£1.54/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7396P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YL502KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a box)
£47.00(exc. VAT)
£9.40/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 27 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 807-7171P
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA103MMF50NF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£5.41(exc. VAT)
£5.41/unit
Last RS stock
TE Connectivity 23 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 387-880P
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624204-2
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£7.83(exc. VAT)
£7.83/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P13 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13QEJ103MAB12
  • RS Stock No. 733-020
  • Mfr. Part No. P13QEJ103MAB12
Subtotal (1 unit)
£24.11(exc. VAT)
£24.11/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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