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

6320 Products showing for Variable Resistors

299 of 316
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Mount 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)
£2,017.75(exc. VAT)
Last RS stock
Vishay P16 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 249-1502
  • Mfr. Part No. P16WP473MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
£12.09(exc. VAT)
Currently unavailable
20 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.2 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3306
  • RS Stock No. 167-5363
  • Mfr. Part No. 3306W-1-203
Subtotal (1 bag of 200 units)
£44.60(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16 2.2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16BP222MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 249-1472
  • Mfr. Part No. P16BP222MAB15
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
£255.80(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
50 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 177-374
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-2-503E
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£5.36(exc. VAT)
In Stock
2 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT-94
  • RS Stock No. 244-3647
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-94EW103
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£4.84(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 89
  • RS Stock No. 144-2069
  • Mfr. Part No. 89PR500LFTB
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
£37.40(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 743-2435P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386G-1-501LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.27(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 249 2.5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-277P
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25252KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£16.93(exc. VAT)
In Stock
5 Ω Through Hole Trimmer Resistor 0.12 W PIHER SENSORS AND CONTROLS S.S.A, PT 15
  • RS Stock No. 640-716
  • Mfr. Part No. PT15NV17102A2020IPMS
Subtotal (1 unit)
£0.44(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P13 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8769
  • Mfr. Part No. P13LFL472MLB10
Subtotal (1 box of 30 units)
£902.49(exc. VAT)
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3314
  • RS Stock No. 167-4675
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314J-1-502E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
£347.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16F 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 298-426
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP472MACV1D
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.98(exc. VAT)
Currently unavailable
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust VPG Foil Resistors, 1280 g
  • RS Stock No. 173-2951
  • Mfr. Part No. Y0056500R000K0L
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£3,091.40(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay P13SM 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P13SMNFRS473MA
  • RS Stock No. 753-7310
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFRS473MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£109.62(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16F 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 329-052
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP472MARSD
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.66(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
500 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 167-3417
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Y-1-504LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£56.50(exc. VAT)
Currently unavailable
22 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3329
  • RS Stock No. 161-7037
  • Mfr. Part No. 3329H-1-223LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£71.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
5 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Nidec Components, CT-20
  • RS Stock No. 244-3633
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-20EP202
Subtotal (1 pack of 2 units)
£1.92(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3310 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 522-0603P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310Y-001-102L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£2.40(exc. VAT)
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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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