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Old 29th Nov 2011, 6:24 pm   #7
Bazz4CQJ
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,924
Default Re: Variacs, autotransformers and light dimmers

I acquired a 2KVA variac when I worked at GEC in the 1980's; dozens of them were been thrown out - there was a mountain of them all being replaced by thyristor units . It has been my standard practice for many years to use the variac to bring the power up over a a few seconds on almost anything I have that has not been powered up for any length of time and I think it is a good thing to do, giving elderly capacitors a gentle wake up call.

I also have a constant voltage transformer, cannot remember the details of the type but originally bought to use with some sensitive scientific equipment as it also cleans up the mains of spikes. I gather that other uses for them was to keep photographic lights at a constant colour temperature and keeping ultra-purist HiFi enthusiasts happy that their 240V supply is nice and clean.
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