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

6322 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 240-1562P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3214W-1-103E
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
£9.05(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-5213
  • Mfr. Part No. H-516-6M
Subtotal (1 tray of 10 units)
£55.40(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 468-8682
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.3470
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.85(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 182-5679
  • Mfr. Part No. JP-30B 1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
£48.57(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 484-8503P
  • Mfr. Part No. 14910F0GJSX10101KA
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£14.99(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 652-961
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP474MA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£15.81(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 467-5995
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£6.06(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 502-174
Subtotal (1 unit)
£82.81(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 107-859
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.14(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 111-0502
  • Mfr. Part No. S151 250BK
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£34.36(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 181-4488
  • Mfr. Part No. PTV09A-4025F-B103
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£3.34(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 278-0312
Subtotal (1 unit)
£19.43(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 181-211
  • Mfr. Part No. PC16SH-10CP06-103A2020-TA
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
£9.75(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 162-760
  • Mfr. Part No. 404802696045
Subtotal (1 unit)
£24.86(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-5096P
  • Mfr. Part No. 53RAA-R25-A20L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£8.21(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-1088
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362W-1-203LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£0.53(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 469-1313
  • Mfr. Part No. 05.061.7100
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.99(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-5456
  • Mfr. Part No. H-91
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
£114.50(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 283-2032
  • Mfr. Part No. A2516060
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.79(exc. VAT)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 329-032
  • Mfr. Part No. P16FNP103MACV1F
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
£267.74(exc. VAT)
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