14-10-2014, 09:32 AM
A while back I built a control panel for testing HV kit (I build big Tesla coils and other HV stuff).
Apart from a stonking 1:1 isolation transformer, I built a Variac control board- schematic in the PDF download - it provides a simple and safe controlled environment to test all sorts of kit with
Note the voltage recalibration - we are way out in the country and our mains input regularly exceeds 255VAC - I have on-line UPS systems for all delicate kit to stop the inevitable over-voltage, under-voltage, black-out & brown-out conditions - about one every two days - the UPS systems continually monitor the mains quality and email me if there are out-of-band conditions.
BTW. The isolation transformer is an ex-medical unit - they are very very neat and available on eBay - from my point of view, an excellent investment - I couldn't make one cheaper or better - mine is a ISB-100W (1KW) Medical Isolation Transformer - lovely bit of kit - not very big - essentially a well-insulated toroidal transformer in a box... smaller sizes are available - the IsoBox ISB-030W (300W) is much smaller and probably completely adequate for most workbenches...
EDIT: I have a lamp-limiter too - a couple of 40W incandescent bulbs in batten holders which can be switched in and out but the Variac board is the one that gets the most use.
Apart from a stonking 1:1 isolation transformer, I built a Variac control board- schematic in the PDF download - it provides a simple and safe controlled environment to test all sorts of kit with
Note the voltage recalibration - we are way out in the country and our mains input regularly exceeds 255VAC - I have on-line UPS systems for all delicate kit to stop the inevitable over-voltage, under-voltage, black-out & brown-out conditions - about one every two days - the UPS systems continually monitor the mains quality and email me if there are out-of-band conditions.
BTW. The isolation transformer is an ex-medical unit - they are very very neat and available on eBay - from my point of view, an excellent investment - I couldn't make one cheaper or better - mine is a ISB-100W (1KW) Medical Isolation Transformer - lovely bit of kit - not very big - essentially a well-insulated toroidal transformer in a box... smaller sizes are available - the IsoBox ISB-030W (300W) is much smaller and probably completely adequate for most workbenches...
EDIT: I have a lamp-limiter too - a couple of 40W incandescent bulbs in batten holders which can be switched in and out but the Variac board is the one that gets the most use.
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