Source for Variac

J: I would fuse the variac for an amp or two LESS than what its' rated output is just to be safe. If you have a 7 amp variac ( somewhat common size ) and try pulling 10 - 12 amps from it, it can smoke the variac without tripping a 15 amp breaker. If you blow the fuse on initial fire-up due to the in-rush current filling the capacitors, you should be able to simply replace the fuse and power the device back up again. The initial surge that blew the fuse should be enough to reduce the load on the variac to the point that it can function normally from that point on. If you blow a fuse the second time, try it one more time and be careful. If you pop a fuse three times in a row, the device being powered up is probably defective or is EXTREMELY current thirsty.

Here's a link to Mouser Electronics. Hope this helps... Sean
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Some variacs come with fuses. At a hamfest this fall, I picked up a sweet old Tektronix unit, 10A I think, with Triplett meter that can be switched between incoming and outgoing line, 2A and 10A fuses built in, adjustable dial (of course), removable power cord, 2 outlets for output, pilot light, etc. And of course the reknown tektronix build quality. Grand total: $5. Gotta love stuff like that. I won't even go into the tube or scope deals that were to be had.

-Ed

Ed, that was a phenomenal deal ( as i'm sure that you know ). Did you pick up any spares ? : ) Sean
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