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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

287 of 322
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, ST-42
  • RS Stock No. 244-4390
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-4 2ETA503
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
£703.50(exc. VAT)
£1.407/unit
In Stock
220 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.28 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6838P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YA224MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£17.45(exc. VAT)
£3.49/unit
In Stock
RS PRO Potentiometer Knob 16.2 mm 6 mm, Black
  • RS Stock No. 302-683P
Subtotal 20 units (supplied in a bag)
£8.96(exc. VAT)
£0.448/unit
In Stock
2.2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 161-7027
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-222LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£39.60(exc. VAT)
£0.792/unit
In Stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 785-9679P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386F-1-505LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.21(exc. VAT)
£1.21/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Gull Wing 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TSM41
  • RS Stock No. 653-016
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM41YL102KR05
Subtotal (1 tape of 1 unit)
£3.33(exc. VAT)
£3.33/tape
In Stock
Bourns 3540 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Bush
  • RS Stock No. 522-3056P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3540S-TAL-103L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£44.85(exc. VAT)
£44.85/unit
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3654
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EW202
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£4.84(exc. VAT)
£0.968/unit
In Stock
1 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.06 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64Y
  • RS Stock No. 154-2498P
  • Mfr. Part No. M64Y105KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£2.87(exc. VAT)
£2.87/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 374-6787P
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YA103MT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£18.30(exc. VAT)
£3.66/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 82
  • RS Stock No. 144-2225
  • Mfr. Part No. 82PR100KLFTB
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£7.77(exc. VAT)
£1.554/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2520P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-203LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.70(exc. VAT)
£1.70/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 177-7472
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ502KB25
Subtotal (1 box of 250 units)
£1,375.00(exc. VAT)
£5.50/unit
Currently unavailable
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63P
  • RS Stock No. 167-9652
  • Mfr. Part No. M63P202KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 400 units)
£1,004.00(exc. VAT)
£2.51/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3671
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EX501
Subtotal (1 pack of 2 units)
£2.36(exc. VAT)
£1.18/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity 23 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 163-8376
  • Mfr. Part No. 1623767-2
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£574.80(exc. VAT)
£2.874/unit
Limited stock
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 743-2261P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-7-203LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.34(exc. VAT)
£1.34/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P16 220 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NP221MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 790-4160
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP221MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£15.73(exc. VAT)
£15.73/unit
Last RS stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, T63
  • RS Stock No. 167-9532
  • Mfr. Part No. T63XB502KT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£51.15(exc. VAT)
£1.023/unit
In Stock
OKW 31 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft, A2531060
  • RS Stock No. 283-2038
  • Mfr. Part No. A2531060
Subtotal (1 unit)
£6.17(exc. VAT)
£6.17/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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