Hi

Does a variac do anything a good function generator does not?
i.e. vary AC from 0 to 260v...etc
thx

 

How much current can your "good" function generator supply? Variacs can supply in excess of 10 A.

John

 

Hello,

A variac is just an adjustable transformer.
It will only work on the frequency that is supplied at the input.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autotransformer

A function generator can produce a lot of wave forms and frequencies at low voltage ( upto 20 Vpp most times ).

Greetings,
Bertus

 

How much current can your "good" function generator supply? Variacs can supply in excess of 10 A.

John

A function generator controlling a power transistor can take care of the 10A.
what about the AC signal. would a variac give a cleaner AC wave ones.

 

You are mixing apples and oranges. A variac is a power device, meant to connect to house current. A function generator is a universal signal generator, not meant to provide power.

A variac output is as clean as the input.

 

The original question seems to be evolving. In other words, given enough additional parts, there is nothing that a Variac can do that a 5 HP gasoline engine cannot do.

A Variac is not a signal generator, but a signal generator with enough additional parts can provide the same functions as a Variac. Why do that though?

John

 

Never did like the taste of orange pie.

 

A function generator controlling a power transistor can take care of the 10A.
what about the AC signal. would a variac give a cleaner AC wave ones.

You want a sine-wave generator, then a transformer to boost the signal.
The cleanliness of the signal has a lot to do with the quality of the components and the architecture of the project. Proper decoupling, isolation..