Energy label

Compare list full


A potentiometer is a variable resistor. Potentiometers enable you to regulate and change the current flowing through a circuit. Potentiometers can also be called pots or potmeters. You can learn more in our [guide to potentiometers](/web/content/discovery/ideas-and-advice/potentiometers-guide).

Potentiometers have two terminals that are fixed to a resistive element (the track). The resistive element is typically wirewound or made from carbon, cermet or conductive plastic. The third terminal is connected to the wiper, which is a sliding contact. As the wiper moves along the track, the resistance changes and the current flowing through the circuit changes.

### Types of potentiometer

**Rotary potentiometers** are easily controlled by turning a spindle or a knob. Rotary potentiometers can be single turn or multiturn.

**Slide potentiometers** are also known as slider potentiometers or fader potentiometers. To use a slide potentiometer, it's simply a case of sliding a fader along a straight track to change the resistance.

**Trimmer potentiometers**, sometimes called trimpots, are used to calibrate and fine-tune circuits and can be mounted straight onto a PCB (printed circuit board). Trimmer potentiometers are easy to adjust with a screwdriver.

**String potentiometers** (or string pots) take movement and transform it into an electrical signal.

**Membrane potentiometers** are completely flat. Membrane potentiometers change their resistance when pressure is applied to the membrane.

### Do I need a potentiometer with a linear or logarithmic taper?

The taper you need for your potentiometer depends on the intended application.

For potentiometers with a linear taper, the resistance between one end of the track and the wiper varies at a constant rate. If you turn the potentiometer halfway or slide the fader halfway along the track, the resistance will be half of the total resistance. Linear taper potentiometers are typically used in applications such as light dimmer switches.

For logarithmic taper potentiometers, the resistance does not vary at a constant rate. The level of resistance moves exponentially up or down. A potentiometer that has been turned or moved halfway along its track, will not produce resistance that is half the total resistance. Logarithmic potentiometers are commonly used for audio applications.

### What is the difference between a potentiometer and a rheostat?

The key difference is the number of terminals that each device has. Potentiometers have three terminals while rheostats only have two terminals.

### Looking for peripherals for your potentiometer?
- [Potentiometer Knobs](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/)
- [Potentiometer Accessories](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-accessories/)
- [Potentiometer Mounting Nuts](/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-mounting-nuts/)


Browse Potentiometers, variable resistors from digital potentiometer, slide, and rotary to linear potentiometers. Shop 10K, 100K. Free Next Day Delivery

Potentiometers | Slide & Rotary | Variable Resistor | RS

Potentiometers

Alps Alpine 10kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK09K1130A0H

Alps Alpine 10kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK09K1130C17

Alps Alpine 50kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer Through Hole, RS6011Y1401A

Alps Alpine 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer RK09711110EL

Alps Alpine 50kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK0971110702

Alps Alpine 10kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK1631210AY7

Alps Alpine 50kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK1631110TV8

Alps Alpine 50kΩ Rotary Carbon Film Potentiometer RK09K1130BCN

Buy Linear Potentiometers. Browse our latest Linear Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Linear Potentiometers | RS

<p>Linear potentiometers are ones that either slide or have a push/pull motion. The variable resistance is determined by how far it has travelled, the further the wiper travels the higher the resistance. Like many potentiometers these include 3 outputs. 2 outputs are connected to the resistor to keep a fixed resistance, whereas the third output is connected to the wiper to determine the distance it has travelled.</p>

Buy 100k Potentiometers. Browse our latest 100k Potentiometer offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

100k Potentiometers | RS

Buy 1k Potentiometers. Browse our latest 1k Potentiometer offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

1k Potentiometers | RS

Buy CTS Potentiometers. Browse our latest CTS Potentiometer offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

CTS Potentiometers | RS

Buy from our selection of potentiometers from Alpine. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

Alpine Potentiometers | RS

Buy from our selection of Potentiometers from Allen Bradley. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

Allen Bradley Potentiometers | RS

Buy Honeywell Potentiometers. Browse our latest Honeywell Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Honeywell Potentiometers | RS

Buy from our selection of Potentiometers from Ohmite. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

Ohmite Potentiometers | RS

Buy from our selection of Potentiometers from Siemens. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

Siemens Potentiometers | RS

Buy from our selection of Potentiometers from TE Connectivity. At RS, we strive to give you the best offers from our supplier and to promptly deliver in the shortest time.

TE Connectivity Potentiometers | RS

Buy Vishay Potentiometers. Browse our latest Vishay Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Vishay Potentiometers | RS

Buy Rotary Potentiometers. Browse our latest Rotary Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Rotary Potentiometers | RS

Rotary Potentiometers are used for obtaining adjustable supply voltage to a part of an electric circuit and also electric circuits. A good example of a rotary potentiometer is the volume control on your audio system, this controls the voltage supply to the amplifier. These type of potentiometers can be used where smooth voltage control is required.

Buy Slide Potentiometers. Browse our latest Slide Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Slide Potentiometers | RS

<p>Slide Potentiometers can also be known as Fader potentiometers are panel controls that are designed for applications that need frequent adjustments. These potentiometers come in various sizes and shaft/ bushing combinations</p><h2>Types of Potentiometer</h2><p>There are different types of slider potentiometers also known as pots</p><ul><li>Single Slider pot</li><li>Dual slide pot </li><li>Multi turn pots</li><li>Motorized fader</li></ul><h2>Typical Applications that use Slide Potentiometers</h2><ul><li>Medical Equipment</li><li>Test and Measurement</li><li>Consumer Electronics</li><li>Audio mixing consoles</li></ul><p>We also offer a wide range of <a href="/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-knobs/">Potentiometer Knobs</a> and <a href="/web/c/passive-components/variable-resistors/potentiometer-accessories/">Potentiometer Accessories</a></p>

Buy 10k Potentiometers. Browse our latest 10k Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

10k Potentiometers | RS

<p>A '10K Potentiometer' is a potentiometer that has a 10k resistance. When you move your wiper, this will adjust the variable resistor resistance from 0 up to 10k. 10K Potentiometers can come as rotary, linear and many other types of potentiometers. You can set the resistance between 0-10k depending how far you twist/move your wiper.</p>

Buy Bourns Potentiometers. Browse our latest Bourns Potentiometer offers. Free Next Day Delivery.

Bourns Potentiometers | RS

<p>A range of high quality Potentiometers from Bourns, one of our leading Brands. These potentionmeters from Bourns have an outstanding build quality and are designed with precision in mind.</p>

Alpine Potentiometers

Popular Searches

Related links