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

6433 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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  • RS Stock No. 842-7002
Subtotal (1 unit)
€7.96(exc. VAT)
€7.96/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 259-6979
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
€14.78(exc. VAT)
€2.956/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 842-7129
Subtotal (1 unit)
€13.08(exc. VAT)
€13.08/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 463-8479
Subtotal (1 unit)
€6.72(exc. VAT)
€6.72/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 852-4611
  • Mfr. Part No. 008T000
Subtotal (1 unit)
€8.58(exc. VAT)
€8.58/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 259-6828
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
€11.65(exc. VAT)
€2.33/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 502-8637
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1103KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
€14.09(exc. VAT)
€14.09/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 259-6985
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
€14.78(exc. VAT)
€2.956/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 842-7015
Subtotal (1 unit)
€11.10(exc. VAT)
€11.10/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 842-7043
Subtotal (1 unit)
€7.86(exc. VAT)
€7.86/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 729-3505
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09712200HA
Subtotal (1 unit)
€6.89(exc. VAT)
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  • RS Stock No. 468-0739
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
€16.45(exc. VAT)
€1.645/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 468-0672
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
€11.32(exc. VAT)
€1.132/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 783-0205
  • Mfr. Part No. PKD70B101/4
Subtotal (1 unit)
€3.75(exc. VAT)
€3.75/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 259-7039
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
€15.50(exc. VAT)
€3.10/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 468-0644
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
€12.94(exc. VAT)
€1.294/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 783-0154
  • Mfr. Part No. PKES120B1/4
Subtotal (1 unit)
€3.34(exc. VAT)
€3.34/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 842-7078
Subtotal (1 unit)
€8.14(exc. VAT)
€8.14/unit
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RS Better World
  • RS Stock No. 125-4401
  • Mfr. Part No. XB4BD912R1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
€85.01(exc. VAT)
€85.01/unit
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  • RS Stock No. 270-7766
  • Mfr. Part No. K70104
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
€3.03(exc. VAT)
€0.606/unit
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