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

6430 Products showing for Variable Resistors

301 of 322
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 790-4312
  • Mfr. Part No. PE30L0FR474KAB
Subtotal (1 unit)
$70.79(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 521-9978P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296X-1-500LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
$3.90(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 769-2237
  • Mfr. Part No. PV37W202C01B00
Subtotal (1 unit)
$3.37(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 785-9824P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3296Z-1-201LF
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
$5.05(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 743-5703
  • Mfr. Part No. P11P1F0GGSY00102KA
Subtotal (1 unit)
$23.83(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4321
  • Mfr. Part No. SM-43TW202
Subtotal (1 reel of 250 units)
$855.25(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 769-2224
  • Mfr. Part No. PV36X503C01B00
Subtotal (1 unit)
$3.52(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 387-830
  • Mfr. Part No. 1624209-2
Subtotal (1 unit)
$21.23(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-9435
  • Mfr. Part No. TS53YL502MR10
Subtotal (1 reel of 500 units)
$1,260.00(exc. GST)
Stock information currently inaccessible
  • RS Stock No. 329-019
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NP102MAB15CV1F
Subtotal (1 box of 20 units)
$594.14(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 181-220
  • Mfr. Part No. PC16SH-10IP06-222A2020-TA
Subtotal (1 bag of 5 units)
$26.36(exc. GST)
Last RS stock
  • RS Stock No. 790-4164
  • Mfr. Part No. P16NM471MAB15
Subtotal (1 unit)
$66.91(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-0625P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3310Y-001-103L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a tube)
$6.03(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 244-4369
  • Mfr. Part No. ST-32ETA501
Subtotal (1 tape of 5 units)
$14.63(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 522-5175P
  • Mfr. Part No. 91A1A-B28-D20L
Subtotal 1 unit (supplied in a bag)
$14.42(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-9604
  • Mfr. Part No. 15E11B10
Subtotal (1 box of 10 units)
$1,151.16(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 467-5945
Subtotal (1 pack of 10 units)
$9.90(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 100-1111P
  • Mfr. Part No. 3314G-1-201E
Subtotal 10 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
$27.36(exc. GST)
Temporarily out of stock
  • RS Stock No. 167-5119
  • Mfr. Part No. TC33X-2-502E
Subtotal (1 reel of 2500 units)
$560.00(exc. GST)
In Stock
  • RS Stock No. 486-7245P
  • Mfr. Part No. TSM4YJ502KB25
Subtotal 5 units (supplied on a continuous strip)
$99.66(exc. GST)
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