Variac VA

Hi, I've got a Varic which I'm told is 2.2kva. There is no data plate on it. What do you think is a reasonably accurate way of finding out what it's rating really is?

 

Measurements are approx as I don't want my steel rule coming into contact with the windings.

Outside diamater 130mm
Height 95mm

and these are the measurements of the actual windings.

It's an open variac, would the weight help? It is rather heavy and needs two very strong and steady hands to move it!

Thanks

 

I'll measure it again, maybe I got it wrong.

I was happily running it tonight (or last night now) at 4amps for a while and for a few moments ran it at 9 amps. It didn't even appear warm. Though it was sold to me in good faith as a 2kva (or 2.2 can't remember), I just wanted to be sure.

At work we have one rated at 10 amps ( I know transformers are better rated in VA) and the one at work isn't any bigger.

 

If I may post this,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Claude-Lyons-Variac-variable-transformer-8a-240v-/352183714617

that looks identicle to mine apart from the extra tapping connections and mine has no name plate apart from the wording 'Variac' in the same place as this one.

 

Today I opened our variac at work. It is labelled as 10 amps. The wire gauge appears the same as mind. The transformer measures 160mm by 85mm high, which is a little wider than mine, but not as tall, which I think seems consistent with a difference of 2 amps in rating between them.

 

You can use the input voltage to determine the max current, but not the variable output voltage. The non variables (max VA) aren't going to move as the voltage varies.

2kva at 20v would assume 166va, or 2kva at 20v in a calculation would be 100 amps, which I don't think anyone in their right mind would ever think can magically appear from an 8 amp/2kva variac.