The new (May 2025) Variable Load has rotary switches to allow the user to set the resistance to any value from 2 to 200 ohms. It supports up to 300 mA of current, and it has a replaceable 365mA fuse that is 1.5 cm long. A spare fuse is included inside the case.

It also has an internal switch. The switch has two settings “GDX-NRG” and “OTHER”. The unit is shipped with the switch in the “GDX-NRG” position.

When the switch is in the GDX-NRG position, the resistance of the device is one ohm of lower than the specified resistance to allow for the 1-ohm resistor included in our GDX-NRG and VES-BTA sensors.

When the switch is in the OTHER positions, the resistance of the device matches the switch setting.

If you want to use the VES-VL for general experiments or for electrical projects, you should probably set the switch to the OTHER setting, but with only a one-ohm difference, it rarely will matter at all.