VARIABLE RESISTOR

A variable resistor has a movable contact that is used in selecting the required resistance. Potentiometers have markings on them; these markings indicates the maximum value in which the potentiometer can be adjusted to.

Recognising markings on variable resistors:

A variable resistor marked 10K means that its range of resistance is 0 to 10,000 ohms.
If it is marked 104, the resistance will be 10 x10^4 = 100,000 ohms.
If it is marked 103, the resistance will be 10 x10^3 = 10,000 ohms.

Variable resistors are of either the slide type or the rotary(dial) type.