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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.

    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.

    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

    6168 Products showing for Variable Resistors

    1 of 309
    TE Connectivity TW 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, TW1103KA
    • RS Stock No. 502-8637
    • Mfr. Part No. TW1103KA
    Each
    €13.22
    Eaton RMQ-Titan Potentiometer, 229489 M22-R1K
    • RS Stock No. 620-6024
    • Mfr. Part No. 229489 M22-R1K
    Each
    €83.32
    RS PRO 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
    • RS Stock No. 842-7002
    Each
    €7.38
    Better World
    Schneider Electric XB5 1kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R1K
    • RS Stock No. 125-4407
    • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R1K
    Each
    €90.54
    TE Connectivity 29.7mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35mm Shaft Splined, PKS1105B101/4
    • RS Stock No. 783-0218
    • Mfr. Part No. PKS1105B101/4
    Each
    €4.79
    20Ω, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5W Top Adjust Bourns, 3329
    • RS Stock No. 743-2394
    • Mfr. Part No. 3329H-1-200LF
    Each
    €2.75
    Better World
    Schneider Electric XB4 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB4BD912R10K
    • RS Stock No. 125-4400
    • Mfr. Part No. XB4BD912R10K
    Each
    €81.90
    RS PRO 19mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.4mm Shaft D Shaped
    • RS Stock No. 465-9381
    Each (In a Pack of 10)
    €0.514
    RS PRO 2kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
    • RS Stock No. 842-7135
    Each
    €6.14
    RS PRO 21mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35mm Shaft Splined
    • RS Stock No. 259-6979
    Each (In a Pack of 5)
    €2.22
    Schneider Electric ATV320 2.2kΩ Rotary Potentiometer Panel Mount, SZ1RV1202
    • RS Stock No. 922-4977
    • Mfr. Part No. SZ1RV1202
    Each
    €62.42
    Ohmite CU 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, CU1031E
    • RS Stock No. 892-2466
    • Mfr. Part No. CU1031E
    Each
    €29.71
    Better World
    Schneider Electric XB5 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, XB5AD912R10K
    • RS Stock No. 125-4406
    • Mfr. Part No. XB5AD912R10K
    Each
    €78.35
    RS PRO Potentiometer Dial for Collet Knob
    • RS Stock No. 468-0644
    Each (In a Pack of 10)
    €0.999
    RS PRO 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount
    • RS Stock No. 842-7024
    Each
    €6.95
    RS PRO 13mm Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft Splined
    • RS Stock No. 467-5888
    Each (In a Pack of 10)
    €0.671
    Bourns 3590 1kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3590S-2-102L
    • RS Stock No. 107-0757
    • Mfr. Part No. 3590S-2-102L
    Each
    €16.73
    Lovato LPCPA 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer, LPCPA010
    • RS Stock No. 224-7363
    • Mfr. Part No. LPCPA010
    Each
    €88.37
    RS PRO 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 5-Turns 1-Gang Bushing Mount
    • RS Stock No. 278-0321
    Each
    €26.09
    RS PRO 16.2mm Black, Red Potentiometer Knob for 6.35mm Shaft Splined
    • RS Stock No. 259-6935
    Each (In a Pack of 5)
    €1.99
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