Hi all,

I'm wondering how I go about fixing my variac. I use it periodically for fan control but after my last move I noticed the switch had broken and was crushed to pieces. I'm hoping I can just re wire the internals so that it bypasses the switch and will just remain on. I can just unplug the variac if I dont need it to turn it off.

The attached pic shows the inside. I highlighted in blue circles what I think are the wires I need to connect together.
On the right side, I would solder the black wire coming from the power cord to the brown wire that goes to the fuse?
And then on the left circle just solder those white and blue wires together?

Can anyone let me know if this will work ? Thanks

 

Is the switch lighted when on?

 

It was before it smashed to pieces, now there is nothing in the switch hole, the actual plastic pieces and spring all fell out.

 

Jump right 2 terminals (brown and black wires), then you will be good to co.
If broken switch has exposed contacts, it is best to cut brown and black wires off the switch and connect them together with a wire nut.

Also, it is not too hard to replace the switch.

 

Thanks lambition. I'll just disconnect them from the switch and connect them together like you said. A new switch will be on the way but good I can still use the variac until I fully repair it.

 

Connect brown and black.
Connect blue and white.
You should be good. The switch had the neutral because of the light.

 

Thanks for the help! Its working fine now, just wanted to get some opinions as my electrical knowledge is fairly low and didnt want to damage the variac

 

Just remember....... without the power switch...... turning the Variac all the way down does not turn it off and there is still voltage coming out of it.

With a load connected..... it will be 0v when turned all the way down.
With no load connected it can be full line voltage.... 120v even when turned down.