Abstract: A variable resistance controller for electrical braking systems and the like wherein the form on which the resistance wire is wound has spaced apart flats into which some of the coils are drawn during winding. This arrangement provides alternate lands and depressions over which a leaf spring type contact rolls. The preferred arrangement has only two coils per land to give increased contact pressure of the leaf spring therewith and to provide predetermined incremental increases in electrical output as the leaf spring rolls from one land to the other. In the preferred embodiment, the spacing of the lands is arranged so that the electrical output is proportional to the hydraulic actuating pressure.The preferred embodiment also includes a diode connected between the output of the controller and ground through a fusible link to permit the collapsing magnetic field of the controlled braking electromagnets to draw current through the diode on deactuation of the unit to bypass the wound resistor.