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

6320 Products showing for Variable Resistors

92 of 316
In Stock
Bourns 22.2 mm Knob Diameter Chrome Potentiometer Knob for 6 mm Shaft Circular
  • RS Stock No. 737-7704P
  • Mfr. Part No. H-22-6M
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£10.95(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
10 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Top Adjust Vishay, 63M
  • RS Stock No. 169-3117
  • Mfr. Part No. M63M103KB40
Subtotal (1 box of 200 units)
£623.80(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns PDB241-GTR 250 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 161-6775
  • Mfr. Part No. PDB241-GTR02-254A2
Subtotal (1 bag of 100 units)
£258.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay 157 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Servo Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-9475
  • Mfr. Part No. 157S502MX
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
£428.64(exc. VAT)
In Stock
RS PRO 19 mm Knob Diameter Yellow Potentiometer Knob Cap for 6.4 mm Shaft Screw Fix
  • RS Stock No. 465-9426
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
£2.50(exc. VAT)
Last RS stock
Vishay PE30 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FR103MAB
  • RS Stock No. 283-6414
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR103MAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
£41.88(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 3310 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 3310C-001-502L
  • RS Stock No. 522-0502
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310C-001-502L
Subtotal (1 unit)
£2.44(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns PTD90 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 166-9921
  • Mfr. Part No. PTD901-2015K-B103
Subtotal (1 bag of 162 units)
£161.19(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
RS PRO P25 10 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 173-0728
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
£79.35(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Arcol Ohmite Knob for 6.35 mm Shaft, 5150E
  • RS Stock No. 126-0446
  • Mfr. Part No. 5150E
Subtotal (1 unit)
£19.85(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Vishay P16 470 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8748
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP474MAB15
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
£240.72(exc. VAT)
Stock information currently inaccessible
Vishay P11S 100 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8868
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00101KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
£661.20(exc. VAT)
Stocked by manufacturer
Eaton Eaton Moeller 100 kΩ Linear Potentiometer 1-Gang Screw, 188111 M30I-FR100K
  • RS Stock No. 239-749
  • Mfr. Part No. 188111 M30I-FR100K
Subtotal (1 unit)
£66.97(exc. VAT)
Temporarily out of stock
100 kΩ, Surface Mount Trimmer Potentiometer, J-Hook 0.25 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3224
  • RS Stock No. 167-4448
  • Mfr. Part No. 3224J-1-104E
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
£880.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns 6657 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Bush
  • RS Stock No. 167-0130
  • Mfr. Part No. 6657S-1-102
Subtotal (1 tray of 25 units)
£692.00(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Bourns PTB 10 kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 737-7809P
  • Mfr. Part No. PTB6044-2010BPA103
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
£4.16(exc. VAT)
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, PC Pin 0.5 W Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 691-7654P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386V-1-102LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
£1.60(exc. VAT)
In Stock
1 kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer, Pin 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3296
  • RS Stock No. 521-9489
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296P-1-102LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
£1.53(exc. VAT)
In Stock
Eaton M22 0 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 179292 M22-R-SWD
  • RS Stock No. 272-1268
  • Mfr. Part No. 179292 M22-R-SWD
Subtotal (1 unit)
£66.83(exc. VAT)
In Stock
TE Connectivity 23 100 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-106P
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624153-2
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a box)
£4.12(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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