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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

6302 Products showing for Variable Resistors

312 of 316
Temporarily out of stock
2 kΩ Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3299P
  • RS Stock No. 171-1082
  • Mfr. Part No. 3299P-1-205LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£146.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16F 100 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16FNP104KA
  • RS Stock No. 652-956
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP104KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£17.28(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay M61 100 kΩ Trimmer Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, M61P104KT20T607
  • RS Stock No. 653-035
  • Mfr. Part No. M61P104KT20T607
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.33(exc. VAT)
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 743-2312P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266P-1-502LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£2.33(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
1 mΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.06 W Top Adjust Vishay, T7
  • RS Stock No. 167-9384
  • Mfr. Part No. T7YB105MT20
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£148.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
10 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7251P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ103KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£47.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 351 HE Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 743-2530P
  • Mfr. Part No. 351HE0B4WA1S22
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£46.64(exc. VAT)
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 788-5108
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YB102KT20
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£7.25(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
500 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.2 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3306
  • RS Stock No. 748-1352P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3306W-1-504
Subtotal 10 units (supplied in a bag)
£2.53(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 785-9852
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Z-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.53(exc. VAT)
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Nidec Components, CT6
  • RS Stock No. 896-7138
  • Mfr. Part No. CT-6EV 100kR
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
£4.59(exc. VAT)
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63M
  • RS Stock No. 183-1344P
  • Mfr. Part No. M63M103KB40
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£5.19(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay P16 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NP102MAB15CV1F
  • RS Stock No. 329-019
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP102MAB15CV1F
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
£234.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 14.5 mm, 021-3525, Black
  • RS Stock No. 243-9555
  • Mfr. Part No. 021-3525
Subtotal (1 box of 100 units)
£426.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 91 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 167-3569
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-E15L
Subtotal (1 tray of 45 units)
£193.95(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay 860 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9344
  • Mfr. Part No. 860B1501
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£1,803.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
200 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2722
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386P-1-201LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.35(exc. VAT)
Stocked by manufacturer
Eaton M30 470 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Gang Screw, 188112 M30I-FR470K
  • RS Stock No. 240-862
  • Mfr. Part No. 188112 M30I-FR470K
Subtotal (1 unit)
£66.97(exc. VAT)
In Stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 167-5350
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Z-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£56.50(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 169-3078
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W502KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£310.00(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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