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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

6510 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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318 of 326
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 70Y
  • RS Stock No. 186-031P
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y202KB25
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£49.08(exc. VAT)
£49.08/unit
In Stock
20 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Wave Solder 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, PV36
  • RS Stock No. 445-943P
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36X203C01B00
Subtotal 2 units (supplied in a tube)
£2.94(exc. VAT)
£1.47/unit
In Stock
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 788-5101P
  • Mfr. Part No. T93YB101KT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£7.30(exc. VAT)
£1.46/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Surface Mount 0.13 W Bourns, 3313
  • RS Stock No. 445-922P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3313J-1-501E
Subtotal 2 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£2.10(exc. VAT)
£1.05/unit
In Stock
Vishay 357 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 357B0203MAB251S22
  • RS Stock No. 460-2060P
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B0203MAB251S22
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£38.30(exc. VAT)
£38.30/unit
In Stock
5000 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 445-909P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224G-1-502E
Subtotal 2 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£5.46(exc. VAT)
£2.73/unit
In Stock
Bourns 91 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 737-7672P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-G28-B15L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tray)
£8.06(exc. VAT)
£8.06/unit
Temporarily out of stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, T93
  • RS Stock No. 788-5050P
  • Mfr. Part No. T93XB502KT20
Subtotal 5 units (supplied in a tube)
£9.30(exc. VAT)
£1.86/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 27 4.7 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 745-6797P
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA472MMF50NF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£7.94(exc. VAT)
£7.94/unit
In Stock
Vishay P16 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P16NM473MAB15
  • RS Stock No. 790-4182P
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NM473MAB15
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£22.01(exc. VAT)
£22.01/unit
Currently unavailable
TE Connectivity M 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 162-855P
  • Mfr. Part No. 404802692040
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£23.00(exc. VAT)
£23.00/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
In Stock
Vishay 248 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-441P
  • Mfr. Part No. 248FGJS0XB25503ML
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£16.06(exc. VAT)
£16.06/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 249 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 249BBHS0XB25504KA
  • RS Stock No. 410-334P
  • Mfr. Part No. 249BBHS0XB25504KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£6.20(exc. VAT)
£6.20/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Vishay, TSM4
  • RS Stock No. 486-7245P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ502KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£47.00(exc. VAT)
£9.40/unit
In Stock
Vishay PE30 470 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 790-4283P
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR471KAB
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£15.96(exc. VAT)
£15.96/unit
In Stock
Vishay PE30 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 790-4316P
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR105KAB
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£35.98(exc. VAT)
£35.98/unit
In Stock
Vishay P13SM 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 753-7297P
  • Mfr. Part No. P13SMNFLS103MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£82.96(exc. VAT)
£82.96/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay 248 2.5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 410-362P
  • Mfr. Part No. 248FGJS0XB25252MA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£7.16(exc. VAT)
£7.16/unit
Temporarily out of stock
2 mΩ, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder 0.13 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3223J
  • RS Stock No. 223-1630P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3223J-1-503E
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied on a continuous strip)
£2.68(exc. VAT)
£2.68/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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