Rotary Potentiometers, Rheostats250 Products
| Image | Part Number | Manufacturer | Description | Availability | Actions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PDF | 026TB32R103B1A1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 10K OHM 5W WIREWOUND LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 282T33L502A26C2 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 5K OHM 1/4W PLASTIC LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450T328F102A1A1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 1K OHM 1/2W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 18VRGT324K254NA3 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 250K OHM 1/20W LOGARITHMIC | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 270X232A503B1B1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 50K OHM 1/4W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 287T328S501A11 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 500 OHM 2W CERMET LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450T328S102A1A1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 1K OHM 1/2W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
PDF | 287T328S202A11 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 2K OHM 2W CERMET LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D501PR16 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 500 OHM 1/2W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D502KSD4 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 5K OHM 1/2W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D503KSD7 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 50K OHM 1/3W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D253KSD6 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 25K OHM 1/3W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D104KSD8 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 100K OHM 1/3W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 450D254F7 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 250K OHM 1/4W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 11VR2X20F2N103B1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 10K OHM 1/20W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 296XD102B1N | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 1K OHM 0.15W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 296UD501B1N | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 500 OHM 0.15W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
PDF | 296UD105B1N | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 1M OHM 0.15W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 270X232A254B1A1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 250K OHM 1/5W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 500 Hover to quote | |
 PDF | 12VR1S20F5N103B1 | CTS Electrocomponents | POT 10K OHM 1/20W CARBON LINEAR | In Stock | MOQ: 1000 Hover to quote |
A rheostat is a type of adjustable resistor used to control current flow in an electrical circuit by varying resistance. Often referred to as a variable resistor, a rheostat is typically constructed using a wire-wound resistive element—usually made of materials like nichrome or another high-resistivity alloy—wrapped around a ceramic or insulating core. A sliding contact called a wiper moves along the resistive wire to change the effective resistance between two terminals, allowing more or less current to flow. Rheostats are commonly rotary or linear in design and are manually adjusted using a shaft or slider. Though similar in appearance to a potentiometer, a rheostat is typically used with just two terminals to control current (not voltage division), making it better suited for high-power applications like motor speed control or dimming incandescent lamps. When selecting a rheostat, key factors include resistance range (measured in ohms), power rating (in watts), adjustment type (rotary or linear), and mechanical durability. For high-current applications, look for wire-wound models that can dissipate significant heat. Rheostats are generally used in AC and DC circuits, but they must be rated appropriately for the type and magnitude of the voltage and current involved. It’s important to note that rheostats are not as precise or compact as digital alternatives, and their mechanical nature makes them less suited to automated or embedded systems. However, they remain useful for hands-on control, adjustment during prototyping, and high-power load variation where fine-tuned analog control is necessary. When comparing to potentiometers, remember: all rheostats are variable resistors, but not all variable resistors are rheostats—potentiometers usually act as voltage dividers, while rheostats typically control current directly.