Rheostats | Linear & Wirewound | RS
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    Rheostats

    A rheostat is a variable resistor which is used to control current or vary resistance within an electrical circuit. They are able to vary the resistance in a circuit without interruption. Rheostats are very similar in construction to potentiometers, but they are designed to work with higher currents. Rheostats are used in motor speed controls, dimmer switches any any applications which require control of the flow of an electric current.

    How do rheostats work?

    Rheostats use two connections, even when 3 terminals are present, the first connection is made to one end of the resistive element and the other connection to the wiper (sliding contact). Resistive wire is wound around an insulating ceramic core, as the wiper slides over the windings the resistance, and therefore current, produced is altered.

    Types of Rheostat

    • Rotary type – Mostly used in power control applications. Rotary rheostats feature a turnable shaft that adjusts the resistance. They are used to control multiple applications in parallel or to increase the power rating or adjusting range.
    • Slide type – Slide rheostats, or linear rheostats, are often used for education and in laboratory environments. Linear or slide types are constructed of resistive wire wound on an insulating cylinder, a sliding contact moves along the winding to increase or decrease the resistance.

    What is the difference between a potentiometer and a rheostat?

    Both a rheostat and a potentiometer are a type of variable resistor. They feature a similar construction, however, a rheostat features 2 terminals and a potentometer features 3 terminals. A primary difference in functionality is that a rheostat is often implemented to change current, while pots can be used to change the voltage within a circuit.

    82 Products showing for Rheostats

    Vishay
    2.2Ω
    ±10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    38 x 50mm
    -
    -
    -
    50mm
    -
    +320°C
    Ohmite
    ±10%
    1kW
    1
    Panel Mount
    9.53 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    304.8 x 76.2mm
    1600 Vrms
    -
    -
    76.2mm
    31.6A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    100Ω
    10%
    12.5W
    1
    Panel Mount
    3.18 mm
    -
    Solder
    22.23 x 17.46mm
    305 Vrms
    22.23mm
    -
    17.46mm
    0.36A
    -
    Vishay
    470Ω
    ±10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    38 x 50mm
    -
    -
    -
    50mm
    -
    +320°C
    Vishay
    2.2Ω
    ±10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    38 x 50mm
    -
    -
    -
    50mm
    -
    +320°C
    Arcol Ohmite
    10kΩ
    10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    39.62 x 34.93mm
    500 Vrms
    39.62mm
    -
    34.93mm
    0.155A
    -
    Ohmite
    500Ω
    ±10%
    100W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    79.38 x 44.45mm
    1000 Vrms
    -
    -
    44.45mm
    0.447A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    1kΩ
    ±10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    39.62 x 34.93mm
    500 Vrms
    -
    -
    34.93mm
    0.155A
    -
    Vishay
    4.7kΩ
    ±10%
    55W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    60 x 64mm
    -
    -
    -
    64mm
    -
    +320°C
    Arcol Ohmite
    500Ω
    ±10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    39.62 x 34.93mm
    500 Vrms
    -
    -
    34.93mm
    0.222A
    -
    Vishay
    2.2kΩ
    ±10%
    55W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    60 x 64mm
    -
    -
    -
    64mm
    -
    +320°C
    Arcol Ohmite
    1kΩ
    10%
    50W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    58.67 x 34.93mm
    750 Vrms
    58.67mm
    -
    34.93mm
    0.224A
    -
    Ohmite
    10kΩ
    ±10%
    50W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    58.67 x 34.93mm
    750 Vrms
    -
    -
    34.93mm
    0.070A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    25Ω
    10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    39.62 x 34.93mm
    500 Vrms
    39.62mm
    -
    34.93mm
    1A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    10Ω
    10%
    25W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    39.62 x 34.93mm
    500 Vrms
    39.62mm
    -
    34.93mm
    1.58A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    50Ω
    10%
    100W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    79.38 x 44.45mm
    1000 Vrms
    79.38mm
    -
    44.45mm
    1.41A
    -
    Ohmite
    200Ω
    ±10%
    100W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder Lug
    79.38 x 44.45mm
    1000 Vrms
    -
    -
    44.45mm
    0.707A
    -
    Arcol Ohmite
    25Ω
    10%
    100W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6.35 mm
    -
    Solder
    79.38 x 44.45mm
    1000 Vrms
    79.38mm
    -
    44.45mm
    2A
    -
    Vishay
    2.2kΩ
    ±10%
    55W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    60 x 64mm
    -
    -
    -
    64mm
    -
    +320°C
    Vishay
    330Ω
    ±10%
    55W
    1
    Panel Mount
    6 mm
    10.5mm
    Solder Lug
    60 x 64mm
    -
    -
    -
    64mm
    -
    +320°C
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