RE: Variac ratings

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Mccauley, Daniel H by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <daniel.h.mccauley-at-lmco-dot-com>


Thanks.  I have rolls of mu metal which I could use to shield anything
magnetic.  I'll see happens when I run it
when its finished and then see if the ammeter is affected at all.
Thanks

Dan



Dan,
You can indeed use standoffs and an extension shaft to push your variac
deeper into the chassis, and free up some of the front panel acreage for
mounting other components.
However, I would use the space only for switches or pilots.  Many ammeters
have warnings about running their leads according to a specific path behind
the case, so that the field in the lead wires does not affect the readings.

You might want to build a soft iron magnetic shield for the back of the
ammeters if they will be in close proximity to your variacs.  Sheet steel
from microwave oven cases works pretty well for me, and it's free.

Dave

 >I'm having some problems with a control system design right now.  I have a
 >very nice rack mount enclosure which I am using for the NST controller but
 >unfortunately, the two variacs which I was planning on using take up the
 >entire rear space of the front panel so there is no room to put my voltage
 >and current meters, other switches etc...