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Variable Transformer
- Input: 120 volt AC, Output: 0~130 volt AC, 5 amp slow blow fuse
- VA: 500VA, 5 Amp. Max (surge)
- A rating of 500VA means that at 100volt, the unit can sustain at maximum 5amp. If at 120 volt the unit can sustain at 4.1amp
- WARNING: Most devices have a surge amperage (when first turned on) that is much higher than the device's operating amp rating.
- EXAMPLE: A motor with a 5 amp rating may have over 10 amp surge, and you will need a 10 amp variable transformer
Divit7
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2025
The unit I received was incorrectly wired, at least for the US market. As other reviewers have noted, this is a nice unit except that both the input and output receptacles are wired in reverse of US convention. This means that the hot side is always present even when the unit is turned off - that is the hot and the neutral are reversed. Unmodified, this unit is unsafe and defiantly not recommended for folks unfamiliar with electronics. As did other reviewers, I rewired the unit to give the correct polarities and it seems to work fine. I'd give it 5 stars if not for this issue.
Don Flowers
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
I had this transformer for some time before I actually used it, so the return window had closed. I discovered (the hard way) that the output hot side was ALWAYS hot, even when the power switch was in the off position. After opening it up, I was amazed at how sloppily the soldering was done. Dabs and blobs and, well... a caveman could've done better. Not only that, but it was wired completely wrong. I found a schematic online and re-wired the whole mess. It now works as it should. Just be careful!
bobcat127
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2022
This is an excellent product and important for testing legacy electronic equipment. This unit will prevent blowing up an old electronic instrument that has bad capacitors.
Saff
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2017
Great little unit for all that I need. Can't beat the price and well worth the wait. Smooth operation and worked well right out of the box which really took a beating in shipment. Amazed that there was not damage to the body and control panel. One foot pad had come loose and was laying in the box detached from the base. Screwed back in place, no problem. Everything else checked out solid and wired up properly. It can be dialed in very accurately and consistently. Just don't trust the analog meter or the scale chart on the control dial. Verify with test meter to get actual numbers. Make your own offsets as required.
Customer
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2017
The hot and neutral wires were reversed on BOTH the incoming power cord and on the output socket. The means the hot was not switched or fused and was actually sent straight through to the output socket even when the unit was powered off and even when the fused was pulled! This was a very dangerous situation that I learned of the hard way (got shocked). Whatever testing done at the factory was obviously not very thorough. Now that I've wired it correctly, the unit functions perfectly and I have no further complaints.
Ward Smith
Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2016
Very good
Revelry1973
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2016
Voltage knob on top is not accurate at all.
J. Randall
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2016
It arrived quickly and the thin sheet metal case was a little bent. Packaging was good, it's just that the transformer is a bit heavy for the case when it's handled roughly. The commutator makes poor contact in a few places, causing small sparks, so I must watch through the holes when I adjust the voltage to make sure the contact is good. It's been in service for a few days and so far, so good. Got the 300 watt version last year and it has worked flawlessly. It's lighter than this 500 watt version and its case is just right for the lighter weight. If I need another I'll probably get one of these.
James A. Billings
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2014
I needed a small Variac to control the heating of various soldering irons. This Variac meets my needs completely. The tips of soldering irons will deteriorate quickly when heated to too high a temperature, so plugging the iron straight into a wall socket will shorten tip life.I start out by plugging the iron into the Variac and setting the voltage output to 120V. After a minute or so, I set the voltage to 75 volts. Works great and makes tips last a LONG time.The subject Variac is also very professional looking. Compared to some of the grubby looking models I have seen it is outstanding.This Variac is not intended to control devices that will exceed the 5 amp current rating, so don't use it on anything requiring high starting currents such as electric motors.
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