We're assuming it has a polarized plug. It could have a non-polarized two prong plug, which should be replaced if this is the case.
From: Bert Hickman <bert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2015 9:57 AM
Subject: Re: [TCML] variac question
Hi John,
Yikes - it certainly is NOT normal! The ON/OFF switch is apparently
miswired so that it opens the neutral side instead of the hot side,
leaving the entire winding tied to 120V.
You need to take it apart and rewire it so that it works properly OR
take it back and holler at the seller for selling you this potential
widow-maker. In any event, you need to alert the seller (forcefully!).
Do not use it until you get it fixed or replaced. Your currently-wired
variac could be a lethal device - Off must ALWAYS mean OFF!
Bert
John Cooper wrote:
> I have a 2000VA chinese variac off ebay looks similar to a staco(.
> No schematic. It works fine when used normally. Varies my voltage
> from 0-148V. But when its switched off and left plugged in I have 0
> V between and neutral and 120V between hot and ground and neutral and
> ground. Is this normal for a variac?
>
> I was hooking up a electromagnet @5V with the variac off but plugged
> in and I got a 120V bite even when the dial is all the way to 0.
> That’s why I started checking it. Ive been running my coil off it
> with no problems.
>
>
> John Cooper WT5Y _______________________________________________
> Tesla mailing list Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
>
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla