New Variac

Dagwood · 14th June 2010, 08:28 PM

Hi all

I just won this open frame Variac on Ebay, can anyone tell me how to wire this correctly

Variac.JPG

Not mad keen on frying myself

P.S plan on mounting in earthed box with volt meter and in line fuse fitted.

Cheers

dave_gerecke · 14th June 2010, 09:12 PM

Hello Dagwood, AC In = pins 2&4, AC Out = 3&4. Other pins are unused for your usual applications.

Peace,

Dave

Dagwood · 14th June 2010, 09:19 PM

Thanks Dave

I will give it a try in the morning.

dave_gerecke · 14th June 2010, 09:23 PM

Just remember here that you have high voltages on the Variac and it's terminals (240v) in your case, so keep your fingers out of it when you have it plugged in. I would also suggest that you do a quick check with an Ohmeter to make sure that there aren't any shorts that may cause hazards.

Peace,

Dave

Dagwood · 14th June 2010, 09:40 PM

Hi Dave

Thanks man

Plan to mount it into a case before powering it up ( safety first! ) just in case of any problems???

Good idea, will check for any shorted turns as well.

Cheers
Ben

dave_gerecke · 14th June 2010, 09:44 PM

Hello Dagwood, when you mount it in the case, don't forget a fuse or circuit breaker rated at the maximum current that the variac is rated for. If you want to make it really cool, mount volt meter in the same case so that you can monitor the output quickly. That way your DVM is freed up for other measurements!

Peace,

Dave

Dagwood · 14th June 2010, 10:19 PM

Hi Dave
Was just designing front panel in Autocad and thinking the same thing, I like the look of the new blue LCD meters coming out of China ( Ebay again ) but as the Variac has an older style knob and gauge it might look stupid! ??? Think I might look for a retro looking one.

Cheers
Ben

Enzo · 15th June 2010, 12:54 AM

My thoughts. Monitoring voltage is real useful, but I rely on a current meter even more, especially when troubleshooting. And I also prefer analog meters for this, since they are a lot easier to see trends on. If my current meter is oozing up versus rocketing to the sky, that tells me something.

stoc005 · 15th June 2010, 02:17 AM

Input 1 -- 4
Output 3 -- 4
What this does is allow you to have more than the line in voltage on the output. You can compensate for low line conditions or test how you electronics reacts to higher than normal line conditions. Very common configuration.

Dagwood · 15th June 2010, 09:57 AM

Hi Enzo and Stoc005

See your point on the current meter, I may try to fit both as the case I have is large enough. ( every day is a school day )

Have tested on meter, and your wiring configuration is correct Stoc055, other option would have meant blue smoke! lol

Thank you both for your help

14th June 2010, 08:28 PM	#1
Dagwood diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North of Auckland	New Variac Hi all I just won this open frame Variac on Ebay, can anyone tell me how to wire this correctly Variac.JPG Not mad keen on frying myself P.S plan on mounting in earthed box with volt meter and in line fuse fitted. Cheers

15th June 2010, 02:17 AM	#9
stoc005 diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Midwest in the USA	Alternate wiring option Input 1 -- 4 Output 3 -- 4 What this does is allow you to have more than the line in voltage on the output. You can compensate for low line conditions or test how you electronics reacts to higher than normal line conditions. Very common configuration.

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14th June 2010, 09:12 PM	#2
dave_gerecke diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vermont	Hello Dagwood, AC In = pins 2&4, AC Out = 3&4. Other pins are unused for your usual applications. Peace, Dave

14th June 2010, 09:19 PM	#3
Dagwood diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North of Auckland	Thanks Dave I will give it a try in the morning.

14th June 2010, 09:23 PM	#4
dave_gerecke diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vermont	Just remember here that you have high voltages on the Variac and it's terminals (240v) in your case, so keep your fingers out of it when you have it plugged in. I would also suggest that you do a quick check with an Ohmeter to make sure that there aren't any shorts that may cause hazards. Peace, Dave

14th June 2010, 09:40 PM	#5
Dagwood diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North of Auckland	Hi Dave Thanks man Plan to mount it into a case before powering it up ( safety first! ) just in case of any problems??? Good idea, will check for any shorted turns as well. Cheers Ben

14th June 2010, 09:44 PM	#6
dave_gerecke diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vermont	Hello Dagwood, when you mount it in the case, don't forget a fuse or circuit breaker rated at the maximum current that the variac is rated for. If you want to make it really cool, mount volt meter in the same case so that you can monitor the output quickly. That way your DVM is freed up for other measurements! Peace, Dave

14th June 2010, 10:19 PM	#7
Dagwood diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North of Auckland	Hi Dave Was just designing front panel in Autocad and thinking the same thing, I like the look of the new blue LCD meters coming out of China ( Ebay again ) but as the Variac has an older style knob and gauge it might look stupid! ??? Think I might look for a retro looking one. Cheers Ben

15th June 2010, 12:54 AM	#8
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	My thoughts. Monitoring voltage is real useful, but I rely on a current meter even more, especially when troubleshooting. And I also prefer analog meters for this, since they are a lot easier to see trends on. If my current meter is oozing up versus rocketing to the sky, that tells me something.

15th June 2010, 09:57 AM	#10
Dagwood diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North of Auckland	Hi Enzo and Stoc005 See your point on the current meter, I may try to fit both as the case I have is large enough. ( every day is a school day ) Have tested on meter, and your wiring configuration is correct Stoc055, other option would have meant blue smoke! lol Thank you both for your help

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