RE: [TCML] ferrite variac

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

A couple of things here...

All 60 Hz transformers that I have seen use laminated steel cores.  Ferrite cores are only used in high frequency applications.  There's probably a very good reason that ferrite won't work in a Variac application.

21 gauge wire is too small for a power transformer.

The mechanical requirements and challenges in building a DIY Variac are orders of magnitude more complex than anything else in a Tesla coil.  There are many Variacs to be had cheaply at hamfests, and in lieu of that, eBay always has many.  I'm not saying that it can't be done (I think that Finn Hammer did), but you can probably build 20 Tesla coils before getting a proper iron-core DIY Variac to work.

Unless you enjoy cleaning up leaks, submerging things in oil is typically only done if very high voltages are present and corona must be suppressed.  No need for that.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jhowson4@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 9:35 PM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] ferrite variac

yea I thought of that but this is all I have so once i get this to work for free maybe I will pay for a core from a junk yard or something later. basically I want to see if I can actually make it work first.
all i have is 21 gauge wire.  At the moment.  Do you guys think it would be a good idea to submerge it in oil.
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