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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

    6450 Products showing for Variable Resistors

    1 of 323
    Bourns 3549 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 3549S-1AA-502A
    • RS Stock No. 167-4537
    • Mfr. Part No. 3549S-1AA-502A
    Each (In a Tray of 5)
    $50.946
    10kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5W Top Adjust TT ElectronicsBI, 67
    • RS Stock No. 144-2241
    • Mfr. Part No. 67YR10KLF
    Each (In a Pack of 5)
    $3.396
    RS PRO 12.7mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6mm Shaft Splined
    • RS Stock No. 467-2429
    Each
    $3.85
    Vishay 357 2kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, 357B2202MAB251S22
    • RS Stock No. 460-7453
    • Mfr. Part No. 357B2202MAB251S22
    Each
    $45.05
    Vishay 534 2kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1202JC8872
    • RS Stock No. 486-7116
    • Mfr. Part No. 534B1202JC8872
    Each
    $52.12
    100kΩ, SMD Trimmer Potentiometer 0.25W Top Adjust Bourns, 3224
    • RS Stock No. 167-0106
    • Mfr. Part No. 3224X-1-104E
    Each (On a Reel of 200)
    $4.377
    50kΩ, SMD Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
    • RS Stock No. 425-357
    • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y503KR32
    Each (On a Reel of 750)
    $4.037
    Vishay 534 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1502JL
    • RS Stock No. 167-9502
    • Mfr. Part No. 534B1502JL
    Each (In a Box of 10)
    $68.362
    TE Connectivity SP2 10kΩ Linear Potentiometer Bracket Mount, SP2-50
    • RS Stock No. 893-7329
    • Mfr. Part No. SP2-50
    Each
    $1,124.83
    Bourns 6639 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer Continuous-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 6639S-1-103
    • RS Stock No. 164-2677
    • Mfr. Part No. 6639S-1-103
    Each
    $45.84
    Bourns PTA 10kΩ Slide Slide Potentiometer 1-Gang Through Hole, PTA6043-2015DPA103
    • RS Stock No. 737-7786
    • Mfr. Part No. PTA6043-2015DPA103
    Each
    $2.75
    Vishay 534 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 10-Turns 1-Gang Panel Mount, 534B1502JC8872
    • RS Stock No. 486-7150
    • Mfr. Part No. 534B1502JC8872
    Each
    $65.60
    Bourns 3500 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer Continuous-Turns 2-Gang Panel Mount, 3500S-2-103L
    • RS Stock No. 167-4557
    • Mfr. Part No. 3500S-2-103L
    Each (In a Tray of 5)
    $131.464
    Bourns 3310 5kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 2-Gang Panel Mount, 3310H-001-502L
    • RS Stock No. 522-0574
    • Mfr. Part No. 3310H-001-502L
    Each
    $15.64
    Eaton Potentiometer, 229490 M22-R4K7
    • RS Stock No. 620-6096
    • Mfr. Part No. 229490 M22-R4K7
    Each
    $436.90
    Bourns PTV 10kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang, Panel Mount (Through Hole), PTV111-3415A-B103
    • RS Stock No. 737-7833
    • Mfr. Part No. PTV111-3415A-B103
    Each
    $3.33
    Vishay 43P Series 20-Turn Through Hole Trimmer Resistor with Pin Terminations, 5kΩ ±10% 1/2W ±100ppm/°C Side Adjust
    • RS Stock No. 162-221
    • Mfr. Part No. M43P502KB40
    Each
    $9.64
    200Ω, SMD Trimmer Potentiometer 0.5W Top Adjust Vishay, TS7
    • RS Stock No. 425-345
    • Mfr. Part No. TS7Y201KR32
    Each (On a Reel of 750)
    $4.037
    Vishay 17.7mm Black Potentiometer Knob for 6.35mm Shaft Splined, 15A31B10
    • RS Stock No. 509-721
    • Mfr. Part No. 15A31B10
    Each
    $113.94
    10kΩ, Through Hole Trimmer Potentiometer 0.75W Side Adjust TT ElectronicsBI, 89
    • RS Stock No. 144-2228
    • Mfr. Part No. 89PR10KLFTB
    Each (In a Pack of 5)
    $3.842
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