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More Information on Variable Resistors...

What is a Variable Resistor?

A resistor restricts current flow in an electrical circuit without switching the current off. A variable resistor allows more control over current flow by changing the amount of resistance. When resistance increases in a variable resistor, the amount of current that is allowed to flow in a circuit decreases. Two basic components make up variable resistors. The resistive material is the first component and is called the element. The second component, called the wiper or brush, is used to set the resistance, and is often controlled with a knob or sliding switch.

Types of Variable Resistors

There are several different kinds of variable resistors. At Future Electronics we stock many of the most common types categorized by Type, Number of Turns, Tolerance, Rated Power, Nominal Resistance and Packaging Type. The parametric filters on our website can help refine your search results depending on the required specifications.

The most common sizes for Rated Power are 250 mW and 500 mW. We also carry variable resistors with Rated Power up to 37 W. Variable Resistors can be Potentiometer, Trimmer or Turns Counting Dial type.

Variable Resistors from Future Electronics

Future Electronics has a complete selection of variable resistors of different sizes from several manufacturers when looking for a variable resistor chip, variable resistor potentiometer, 12 volt variable resistor, digital variable resistor, high power variable resistor or trimmer resistor. Simply choose from the variable resistor technical attributes below and your search results will quickly be narrowed in order to match your specific variable resistor application needs.

You can easily refine your variable resistor product search results by clicking your preferred variable resistor brand below from our list of manufacturers.

Applications for Variable Resistors:

Variable Resistors can be found in:

  • Audio control
  • Television
  • Motion control
  • Transducers
  • Computation
  • Home Electrical Appliances
  • Oscillators

Choosing the Right Variable Resistor:

When you are looking for the right variable resistors, you can filter the results by various attributes with the FutureElectronics.com parametric search: by Type (Potentiometer, Trimmer or Turns Counting Dial), Rated Power (0.1 µW, 250 mW, 500 mW,…) and Number of Turns (Multi, Single), to name a few. You will be able to find the right variable resistor potentiometer, variable resistor chip, 12 volt variable resistor, high power variable resistor, trimmer resistor or digital variable resistor for any circuit or application.

Variable Resistors in Production Ready Packaging or R&D Quantities

If the quantity of variable resistors required is less than a full reel, we offer to customers many of our products in quantities that will help you avoid unneeded surplus.

In addition, Future Electronics offers its clients a unique bonded inventory program designed to eliminate potential problems that could arise from an unpredictable supply of products containing raw metals and products with long or erratic lead times. Talk with your nearest Future Electronics branch so you can find out more on how you can avoid possible shortages.