YOU ALWAYS NEED "SAFETY" WHEN WORKING WITH POWER LINE ELECTRICITY!
TV "cheater cords" once used in repairing TV sets were known as "Suicide Cords" because the defeated the
isolation between the TV set and the power outlet.
Autotransformers and Variacs are often referred to as "Widow Makers" because they also do not isolate the
user from being exposed to the full potential of the voltage source.......be it 120 or 220 or whatever.
Mark My Words!
Get a step-up or step-down transformer that has the primary winding completely isolated from the
secondary winding and works on the concept of INDUCTION rather that direct hard wired connection
to whatever power source you are using.
Regards,
RFH