Re: Saturable Reactor Repost??

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Original poster: "Eric Davidson" <edavidson-at-icva.gov> 

Trent,

A saturable reactor (SR) is THE way to go to control a reactive, high
currrent load.  I have not yet used one to control a TC, but have used them
extensively to control other arcs such as Jacobs ladders.  A great source of
SRs is speed controls from old centrifuges, Sorvall in particular.  The
current is controlled by varying the DC on the control winding. At 0 vdc you
have full reactance and at about 150 vdc you have essentially no reactance,
only the resistance of the coil, which is usually much less than an ohm.  A
SR also provides electrical isolation between the controlled and the
controlling circuit.  SRs are WELL worth the search. You will never go back
to arc welders or Calrod units out of old stoves.  Hope this helps.  Coil
safely.

Eric
edavidson-at-icva.gov