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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

6516 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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90 of 326
In Stock
50 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.25 W Top Adjust Bourns, 3266
  • RS Stock No. 167-5226
  • Mfr. Part No. 3266W-1-500LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£95.00(exc. VAT)
£1.90/unit
In Stock
5 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 67
  • RS Stock No. 144-2220
  • Mfr. Part No. 67YR5KLF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£5.70(exc. VAT)
£1.14/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 23ESB105MMF50AF
  • RS Stock No. 745-6781
  • Mfr. Part No. 23ESB105MMF50AF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£9.75(exc. VAT)
£9.75/unit
Temporarily out of stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Vishay, 64X
  • RS Stock No. 154-2218
  • Mfr. Part No. M64X102KB40
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.44(exc. VAT)
£2.44/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 23ESA103MPE32N
  • RS Stock No. 807-7162
  • Mfr. Part No. 23ESA103MPE32N
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.63(exc. VAT)
£4.63/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.25 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 64
  • RS Stock No. 144-2207
  • Mfr. Part No. 64XR10KLF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£12.07(exc. VAT)
£2.414/unit
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 2.2 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 23ESB222MMF50NF
  • RS Stock No. 745-6784
  • Mfr. Part No. 23ESB222MMF50NF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£10.03(exc. VAT)
£10.03/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 167-3232
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386X-1-103LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 50 units)
£45.40(exc. VAT)
£0.908/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Alps Alpine RK27 50 kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK27112A00CF
  • RS Stock No. 172-7723
  • Mfr. Part No. RK27112A00CF
Subtotal (1 box of 500 units)
£6,482.50(exc. VAT)
£12.965/unit
In Stock
Vishay 860 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 860B1501
  • RS Stock No. 294-3729
  • Mfr. Part No. 860B1501
Subtotal (1 unit)
£180.30(exc. VAT)
£180.30/unit
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3006
  • RS Stock No. 167-3317
  • Mfr. Part No. 3006P-1-102LF
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
£26.50(exc. VAT)
£1.06/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.75 W Side Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 89
  • RS Stock No. 144-2057
  • Mfr. Part No. 89PR100KLFTB
Subtotal (1 tube of 25 units)
£37.20(exc. VAT)
£1.488/unit
In Stock
Vishay 12.7 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Round Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 425-029
  • Mfr. Part No. ACCKMP1325NLP6
Subtotal (1 unit)
£4.63(exc. VAT)
£4.63/unit
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO 40WW 1 kΩ Rotary Wirewound Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 842-7150
Subtotal (1 unit)
£75.87(exc. VAT)
£75.87/unit
In Stock
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 1 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 93
  • RS Stock No. 144-2204
  • Mfr. Part No. 93PR10KLF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£3.65(exc. VAT)
£3.65/unit
Temporarily out of stock
500 Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3362
  • RS Stock No. 522-1101
  • Mfr. Part No. 3362W-1-501LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£0.66(exc. VAT)
£0.66/unit
In Stock
100 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Solder Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust TT Electronics/BI, 67
  • RS Stock No. 144-2187
  • Mfr. Part No. 67WR100KLF
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
£8.29(exc. VAT)
£1.658/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Nidec Components M-22E10 20 kΩ Rotary Wirewound Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang, M-22E10 20K
  • RS Stock No. 244-4037
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10 20K
Subtotal (1 tray of 10 units)
£117.17(exc. VAT)
£11.717/unit
Temporarily out of stock
TE Connectivity 23 47 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 163-8381
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624161-2
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£930.40(exc. VAT)
£4.652/unit
In Stock
Vishay P11P 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11P1F0GGSY00104KA
  • RS Stock No. 743-5728
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GGSY00104KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
£15.19(exc. VAT)
£15.19/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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