Using a Variac to revive power supplies

[Eric Smith]

Tobias Russell wrote:
 > I've recently acquired a Variac (220V 10A) and was wondering what the
 > collectives views are on using them to revive long dormant power 
supplies.
[...]
 > but will it also work with later DEC switchmode PSUs?

No!  You should never run a switching supply on a variac, except within 
the supply's rated input voltage range.  Definitely do not plug the 
supply into the variac and dial it up from zero!