{"id":282,"date":"2012-08-03T08:35:09","date_gmt":"2012-08-03T15:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.circuitspecialists.com\/?p=282"},"modified":"2014-06-23T09:27:13","modified_gmt":"2014-06-23T16:27:13","slug":"variables-of-a-variac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.circuitspecialists.com\/blog\/variables-of-a-variac\/","title":{"rendered":"Variac and Auto Transformer Fundamentals"},"content":{"rendered":"
A variac is a vary simple device to use. \u00a0It’s purpose is to raise or lower the voltage that enters it. \u00a0Example: If your input voltage is too low – say 105 volts AC, you can just dial it up to the desired voltage, like 120 volts. \u00a0If your input voltage is too high (130 volts AC) then you can lower it to your desired voltage (120 volts AC).<\/div>\n
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It does not automatically adjust voltages. \u00a0That would be a line conditioner and much more expensive.<\/div>\n
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One application for a variac<\/a> is for use with coffee roasters (you need a good thermometer for this). \u00a0By raising or lowering the output voltage of the variac into the coffee roaster you can manually regulate the temperature of the coffee roaster. \u00a0This allows an inexpensive coffee roaster to rival the roasting qualities of much more expensive coffee roasters.<\/div>\n
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Another use is for cutting styrofoam. \u00a0When a variacs output voltage passes through a nichrome wire it becomes heated and cuts the styrofoam like a hot knife through warm butter.<\/div>\n
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Almost everyone is familiar with a dimmer switch in their home to adjust the light output of a bulb. \u00a0A auto transformer variac does the same thing by varying the output voltage to the device you connect into it.<\/div>\n
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Old stereo amplifiers and old guitar amplifiers are a good candidate for a variac. \u00a0Think of an old piece of tube equipment and compare it with a person who has not exercised in a very long time. \u00a0With a variac you can slowly bring up the voltage applied to the amplifier over 24 or 48 hours. \u00a0This allows the capacitors and other components to gradually be brought back up to full operating efficiency without blowing up the parts that have not been used in years.<\/div>\n
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One of the things a variac may often not be used for is in conjunction with an electric motor. \u00a0Unlike a light bulb an electric motor may require a strong surge of power to activate the motor and get it spinning. \u00a0Always check with a professional before using a variac with an electric motor.<\/div>\n
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You should always match the inputs and outputs of a auto transformer\u00a0variac<\/a>. \u00a0For example – it is not a good idea to think you can use a variac to change the input voltage from 120 volts AC \u00a0to 220 volts AC.<\/div>\n
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Also be sure that the number of amps of electricity that will be used by the item connected to the variac. \u00a0A guitar amplifier that requires 10 amps at 120 volts CANNOT be used with a variac that is designed for a 5 amp output. \u00a0This could cause damage to the variac and possibly even start a fire.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A variac is a vary simple device to use. \u00a0It’s purpose is to raise or lower the voltage that enters<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autotransformer-variac"],"yoast_head":"\nVariac and Auto Transformer Fundamentals | Simply Smarter Circuitry Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.circuitspecialists.com\/blog\/variables-of-a-variac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Variac and Auto Transformer Fundamentals | Simply Smarter 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