Question #2

[JoeCon]

Our R&D lab at Panasonic is switching for HID lighting research to Solid State R&D and I just became the owner of two Statco Variacs we no longer need.

Since the Variacs only meter the output voltage should I build a break out box where I can measure the current draw? That's what the light bulb does in the bulb startup circuit right?

So I'll build a box with and AC cord on one side to plug into the variac then an AC plug on the other for my amp to plug into. The ground and neutral will go straight thru while the line will go to a banana plug where I can put my DVM in series with it to measure current. Another banana will be the return from the meter completing the circuit.

I'm thinking this is correct. Yes??

Thanks again!

[martin manning]

Your hook-up sounds fine, but a bulb limiter is both indicating and limiting the current. If you connect your Variac to a circuit with a short in it (and no current limiter) the current could easily increase to the point where the fuse in your meter will open. I think I would just use the built-in voltmeter and a bulb limiter.

[JoeCon]

Martin

Thanks. So I'll get the bulb limiter going too as the visual indication is more revealing than just some current reading. Makes total sense...now!

Thanks again!

[rooster]

This is a funny/odd post, eh? Are you trying to find out what current the Variac is producing?

Why are we suddenly talking about bulb limiters?