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
Ceramic Transient Voltage Suppressors
Ceramic Transient Voltage Suppressors
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

6460 Products showing for Variable Resistors

1 of 323
In Stock
Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5 W Side Adjust Bourns, 3386
  • RS Stock No. 522-2659
  • Mfr. Part No. 3386H-1-503LF
Subtotal (1 unit)
$1.07(exc. GST)
$1.07/unit
Limited stock
Bourns Wirewound Potentiometer 3540S Series with a 6.34 mm Dia. Shaft 10-Turn 5kΩ ±5% 2W ±50ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 522-3028
  • Mfr. Part No. 3540S-1-502L
Subtotal (1 unit)
$48.80(exc. GST)
$48.80/unit
Limited stock
Vishay 470Ω Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, PE30L0FL471KAB
  • RS Stock No. 790-4498
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FL471KAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
$39.00(exc. GST)
$39.00/unit
Limited stock
TE Connectivity Carbon Film Potentiometer 23 Series with a 6.35 mm Dia. Shaft 10kΩ ±20% 1/5W, Logarithmic, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 168-099
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624151-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
$4.73(exc. GST)
$4.73/unit
In Stock
Bourns Potentiometer 3590S Series with a 6.3 mm Dia. Shaft 10-Turn 1kΩ ±5% 2W ±50ppm/°C, Linear, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 737-7638
  • Mfr. Part No. 3590S-1-102L
Subtotal (1 unit)
$43.24(exc. GST)
$43.24/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns Linear Potentiometer PTR90 Series with a 6 mm Dia. Shaft 10kΩ ±10% 0.05W, Linear, PCB Mount
  • RS Stock No. 827-5003
  • Mfr. Part No. PTR901-2015K-B103
Subtotal (1 unit)
$4.80(exc. GST)
$4.80/unit
Temporarily out of stock
Bourns Potentiometer 91 Series with a 6.35 mm Dia. Shaft 500kΩ ±10% 2W ±150ppm/°C, Linear SMD
  • RS Stock No. 851-7408
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-A23L
Subtotal (1 unit)
$6.77(exc. GST)
$6.77/unit
In Stock
Bourns 93 Series Panel Mount, Through Hole Cermet Trimmer Resistor with Pin Terminations, 500kΩ ±10% 2W ±150ppm/°C
  • RS Stock No. 522-5355P
  • Mfr. Part No. 93R1A-R22-A23L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
$13.40(exc. GST)
$13.40/unit
Limited stock
Vishay Wirewound Potentiometer 534 Series with a 6 mm Dia. Shaft 10-Turn 10kΩ ±5% 2W ±20ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 486-7093
  • Mfr. Part No. 534B1103JC8872
Subtotal (1 unit)
$26.76(exc. GST)
$26.76/unit
In Stock
Bourns Wirewound Potentiometer 3548 Series with a 6.34 mm Dia. Shaft 5-Turn 1kΩ ±3% 1.5W ±50ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 692-8480
  • Mfr. Part No. 3548S-1AA-102A
Subtotal (1 unit)
$61.75(exc. GST)
$61.75/unit
Limited stock
Vishay 357 Rotary Potentiometer 1-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 460-7453
  • Mfr. Part No. 357B2202MAB251S22
Subtotal (1 unit)
$37.78(exc. GST)
$37.78/unit
Limited stock
TE Connectivity Wirewound Potentiometer TW Series with a 6.35 mm Dia. Shaft 1kΩ ±10% 1W ±100ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 502-8609
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1102KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
$13.07(exc. GST)
$13.07/unit
Limited stock
Murata PV36W Series 25-Turn Through Hole Trimmer Resistor with Solder Pin Terminations, 5kΩ ±10% 0.5W ±100ppm/°C
  • RS Stock No. 769-2186
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36W502C01B00
Subtotal (1 unit)
$2.48(exc. GST)
$2.48/unit
In Stock
Copal Electronics Wirewound Potentiometer with a 6 mm Dia. Shaft 10-Turn 5kΩ ±5% 2W ±50ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 475-6050
  • Mfr. Part No. M-22E10-050 5K
Subtotal (1 unit)
$38.94(exc. GST)
$38.94/unit
In Stock
RS 13mm Grey Potentiometer Knob for 6.4mm Shaft D Shaped
  • RS Stock No. 467-6718
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
$6.23(exc. GST)
$0.623/unit
Limited stock
Vishay 70Y Series 20-Turn Through Hole Cermet Trimmer Resistor with Pin Terminations, 10kΩ ±10% 1W ±100ppm/°C
  • RS Stock No. 186-053
  • Mfr. Part No. M70Y103KB25
Subtotal (1 unit)
$15.30(exc. GST)
$15.30/unit
Limited stock
RS PRO Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35mm Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 465-8849
Subtotal (1 pack of 5 units)
$40.96(exc. GST)
$8.192/unit
In Stock
RS PRO 18mm Silver Potentiometer Knob for 4mm Shaft
  • RS Stock No. 499-983
Subtotal (1 unit)
$4.10(exc. GST)
$4.10/unit
Limited stock
TE Connectivity Wirewound Potentiometer TW Series with a 6.35 mm Dia. Shaft 25kΩ ±10% 1W ±100ppm/°C, Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 502-8643
  • Mfr. Part No. TW1253KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
$14.31(exc. GST)
$14.31/unit
In Stock
Bourns 3590 Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount
  • RS Stock No. 107-0808
  • Mfr. Part No. 3590S-2-503L
Subtotal (1 unit)
$35.30(exc. GST)
$35.30/unit
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