RE: Contactor Question - Order In Circuit

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Cameron B. Prince" <cplists@xxxxxxxxxx>

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your feedback. This was how I was planning to connect mine as
well. I have a 60A breaker in my control panel before the variac. Have you
had any issues with the contacts welding shut?

Thanks,
Cameron

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 12:44 PM
> To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Contactor Question - Order In Circuit
>
> Original poster: "Paul Benham" <paulb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> Hi Cameron,
>
> I used to have the contactor before the variac.  When I
> upgraded to a 45A variac the inrush current caused problems,
> even with inrush current limiters fitted.  It is now wired so
> the contactor is after the variac.  I have a double pole
> isolation switch before the variac.  It is handy being able
> to measure the output voltage from the variac before
> energizing the coil.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Paul.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 7:47 PM
> Subject: RE: Contactor Question - Order In Circuit
>
>
>  > Original poster: "Cameron B. Prince" <cplists@xxxxxxxxxx>
> >  > Hey guys,  >  > Do you suggest the contactor to be
> before the variac on the line side or  > after it on the
> output side? One of the primary reasons David is using one  >
> is to get the surge required to break the multiple spark
> gaps. From what I  > understand, some of the time when he's
> just running up the variac, it's not  > firing them. So if he
> started at 0V to protect the contacts, it would defeat  > the
> purpose of the contactor anyway.
>  >
>  > I am in the process of adding a contactor to my controller
> and was planning  > to put it on the output side. This way I
> could use the voltmeter to set the  > variac where it should
> be, get the ARSG up to speed then fire the contactor  >
> sending the power out to the pig. I plan to have a key switch
> and a dead  > man's switch in series with the contactor coil.
>  >
>  > Are there advantages and disadvantages either way? What do
> you suggest?
>  >
>  > Thanks,
>  > Cameron
>
>