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

6505 Products showing for Variable Resistors

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43 of 326
Temporarily out of stock
Nidec Components M 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel, M-22E10 5K
  • RS Stock No. 182-5650
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10 5K
Subtotal (1 unit)
€23.06(exc. VAT)
€23.06/unit
Currently unavailable
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)
€635.76(exc. VAT)
€10.596/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P11S 1 mΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8872
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00105KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
€770.40(exc. VAT)
€12.84/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay 148 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole
  • RS Stock No. 167-9741
  • Mfr. Part No. 14820F0GJSX13103KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
€1,160.64(exc. VAT)
€19.344/unit
Currently unavailable
Bourns 91 500 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel, 91A1A-B28-A23L
  • RS Stock No. 851-7408
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-A23L
Subtotal (1 unit)
€3.40(exc. VAT)
€3.40/unit
Currently unavailable
Ohmite CMU 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, CMU5021E
  • RS Stock No. 892-6672
  • Mfr. Part No. CMU5021E
Subtotal (1 unit)
€24.51(exc. VAT)
€24.51/unit
Last RS stock
Schlegel Elektrokontakt Pointer Knob, RRJR
  • RS Stock No. 285-8753
  • Mfr. Part No. RRJR
Subtotal (1 unit)
€61.59(exc. VAT)
€61.59/unit
Temporarily out of stock
OKW 16 mm Knob Diameter Black Potentiometer Knob Round Shaft, A3216009
  • RS Stock No. 283-2058
  • Mfr. Part No. A3216009
Subtotal (1 unit)
€1.82(exc. VAT)
€1.82/unit
Currently unavailable
Nidec Components M 1 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel, M-22S10 1K
  • RS Stock No. 182-5647
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22S10 1K
Subtotal (1 unit)
€31.67(exc. VAT)
€31.67/unit
Currently unavailable
Alps Alpine RK09K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns Panel Mount, Through Hole, RK09K1130AH1
  • RS Stock No. 172-7539
  • Mfr. Part No. RK09K1130AH1
Subtotal (1 box of 1000 units)
€440.00(exc. VAT)
€0.44/unit
Currently unavailable
Nidec Components M 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel, M-22S10 500
  • RS Stock No. 182-5643
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22S10 500
Subtotal (1 unit)
€31.67(exc. VAT)
€31.67/unit
Currently unavailable
Alps Alpine RS60N 10 kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Solder Lug, RS60N1219005
  • RS Stock No. 172-6412
  • Mfr. Part No. RS60N1219005
Subtotal (1 tray of 30 units)
€297.12(exc. VAT)
€9.904/unit
Last RS stock
Vishay 357 20 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 357B2203MAB251S22
  • RS Stock No. 167-9756
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B2203MAB251S22
Subtotal (1 box of 50 units)
€1,199.00(exc. VAT)
€23.98/unit
Currently unavailable
Alps Alpine RK14K 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 2-Gang Through Hole, RK14K12D0A1X
  • RS Stock No. 154-8182
  • Mfr. Part No. RK14K12D0A1X
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
€3.44(exc. VAT)
€0.688/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Sifam 21.5 mm Knob Diameter Collet Knob Modular Switch Cap, C211 VARIOUS
  • RS Stock No. 252-7032
  • Mfr. Part No. C211 VARIOUS
Subtotal (1 pack of 20 units)
€14.16(exc. VAT)
€0.708/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P11S 500 Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8874
  • Mfr. Part No. P11S1V0FLSY00501KA
Subtotal (1 box of 60 units)
€720.72(exc. VAT)
€12.012/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P11P 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, P11P1F0GGSY00502KA
  • RS Stock No. 168-0025
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GGSY00502KA
Subtotal (1 box of 30 units)
€391.95(exc. VAT)
€13.065/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P11L 50 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-0048
  • Mfr. Part No. P11L1V0FLSY00503KA
Subtotal (1 box of 40 units)
€571.20(exc. VAT)
€14.28/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P13 10 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 167-8768
  • Mfr. Part No. P13LFL103MAB10
Subtotal (1 box of 30 units)
€832.68(exc. VAT)
€27.756/unit
Currently unavailable
Vishay P10 5 kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, Through Hole, P10XXAI502KB30
  • RS Stock No. 790-4227
  • Mfr. Part No. P10XXAI502KB30
Subtotal (1 unit)
€13.40(exc. VAT)
€13.40/unit
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