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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

6522 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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53 of 327
In Stock
Bourns 46 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular, H-46-6A
  • RS Stock No. 737-7710
  • Mfr. Part No. H-46-6A
Subtotal (1 unit)
£22.92(exc. VAT)
£22.92/unit
In Stock
Bourns PDB241-GTR 250 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PDB241-GTR02-254A2
  • RS Stock No. 692-8632
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB241-GTR02-254A2
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.33(exc. VAT)
£3.33/unit
In Stock
2 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64Y
  • RS Stock No. 154-2404
  • Mfr. Part No. M64Y202KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.44(exc. VAT)
£2.44/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Bush
  • RS Stock No. 278-0307
Subtotal (1 unit)
£12.30(exc. VAT)
£12.30/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 21 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 259-6979
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£12.32(exc. VAT)
£2.464/unit
Currently unavailable
100 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 64W
  • RS Stock No. 169-3073
  • Mfr. Part No. M64W101KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£300.00(exc. VAT)
£1.50/unit
In Stock
200 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 521-9265
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-204LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.98(exc. VAT)
£2.98/unit
In Stock
Bourns Adjustment Tool, For Use With Trimmer Models 3342, Trimmer Models 3224 And 3214, Most Trimmer Shafts/Rotors, 3223
  • RS Stock No. 743-2479
  • Mfr. Part No. H-90
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.76(exc. VAT)
£3.76/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11S 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 790-4369P
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00102KL
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£6.93(exc. VAT)
£6.93/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK163 10 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 249-9294
  • Mfr. Part No. RK1631210AY7
Subtotal (1 unit)
£9.54(exc. VAT)
£9.54/unit
In Stock
2.5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 785-9742P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296W-1-252LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.54(exc. VAT)
£1.54/unit
In Stock
Elma Potentiometer Knob 21 mm 0.25 in, Grey
  • RS Stock No. 243-9566
  • Mfr. Part No. 023-4510
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.37(exc. VAT)
£4.37/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 27 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, 27ESA103MMF50N
  • RS Stock No. 168-364
  • Mfr. Part No. 27ESA103MMF50N
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.78(exc. VAT)
£5.78/unit
In Stock
Sifam 11.5 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Splined, 3/03/TP110-006/237/224
  • RS Stock No. 299-4783
  • Mfr. Part No. 3/03/TP110-006/237/224
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£3.30(exc. VAT)
£0.66/unit
In Stock
Vishay 149 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, 14920F0GJSX13103KA
  • RS Stock No. 484-9269
  • Mfr. Part No. 14920F0GJSX13103KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£25.15(exc. VAT)
£25.15/unit
In Stock
Alps Alpine RK097 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 729-3505
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09712200HA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.74(exc. VAT)
£5.74/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 1623760-2
  • RS Stock No. 168-140
  • Mfr. Part No. 1623760-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
£5.22(exc. VAT)
£5.22/unit
Last RS stock
Vishay Trimmer Adjustment Tool 127 mm, For Use With Trimmers Of All Sizes
  • RS Stock No. 852-4614
  • Mfr. Part No. 008T290
Subtotal (1 unit)
£7.61(exc. VAT)
£7.61/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Vishay 55 W 22 Ω Wirewound Rheostat 160mA, RT055AS22R0KB
  • RS Stock No. 167-9890
  • Mfr. Part No. RT055AS22R0KB
Subtotal (1 pack of 25 units)
£15,170.00(exc. VAT)
£606.80/unit
In Stock
500 Ω, Surface Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Top Adjust Vishay, TS53
  • RS Stock No. 486-7582
  • Mfr. Part No. TS53YJ501MR10
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£12.45(exc. VAT)
£2.49/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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