Variacs - WAS: Re: Remember Mr. Bill's servo lite?

Andy, Group,
I didn't mean to hijack this thread originally, or cause an uproar over the use of Variacs, but after reading all the posts to date, I must say that I am happy that it has remained a civil and friendly debate. I have learned a lot, and I better understand (I think) the opinions of both sides in the debate.

IMO, Variacs are certainly a useful piece of equipment, and used properly (whatever that may be), are (can be) as safe as any other piece of high voltage equipment.

It seem to me that the definition of "proper use" may be the real issue of concern here, and I believe that it falls to each of us to be personally responsible to use and operate all of our equipment safely and responsibly to assure our own safety and that of others.

For me, I choose to not use a Variac for a power supply and not worry about whether or not it is safe, than to use a Variac and not be sure that it is safe.

Thank You and Regards to All,
John Champlain
www.picengrave.com

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Andy Wander <awander@...> wrote:
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> But only if we take it on faith, because nobody can explain why the variac is more dangerous......
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> Andy Wander
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