30 amp variac instead of an autoformer?
Hi, I've been looking for a 30 amp autoformer for some time. I wonder if this item would "fill the bill". 30 amp variac $169 Here is the company listing: variable ac transformer
Forum Discussion
wa8yxm wrote:
Actually I would not use a Variac. they do a fair job of regulating voltage.. not as good as some other devices but a fairly good job, but they do it by wasting a whole lot of energy.. This means you may plug into a 30 amp park outlet but if you get 25 out of the Variac before you trip the breaker you are doing good (or you don't need it) You might notice the case is well vented and on that size most likely fan forced as well.
That said I do have a small one (Two small ones actually) I use in electronic testing.. but These are for the "Test Bench" normally not plugged in.
Since a variac is basically an auto transformer, I would expect it to be fairly low loss assuming a large heavy transformer with associated low I^2 R and magnetic loss. Not having ever used or considered one, can you quantify specified efficiency of some available variac examples rather than speaking in general terms?
Dick
