UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Bazz4CQJ · 22nd Nov 2022, 12:04 pm

The classical approach to using a Variac to start equipment not used for some time is to bring it up slowly; I'd maybe go 0-240 over 30-40 seconds.

In some cases, with modern electronics, I use the Variac but go 0-240 in maybe 2 seconds.

I've never had anything fail while being "woken by Variac". Maybe my Variac (a monstrous 8A beast which I struggle to lift now) is lucky; I saved it from the scrapheap.

B

22nd Nov 2022, 12:04 pm	#5
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,935	Re: Using a variac when testing always wise? The classical approach to using a Variac to start equipment not used for some time is to bring it up slowly; I'd maybe go 0-240 over 30-40 seconds. In some cases, with modern electronics, I use the Variac but go 0-240 in maybe 2 seconds. I've never had anything fail while being "woken by Variac". Maybe my Variac (a monstrous 8A beast which I struggle to lift now) is lucky; I saved it from the scrapheap. B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.