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Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)





---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 15:42:14 -0600
From: "D.C. Cox" <DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)

to: Chris

For RF potentials in the freq ranges of Tesla oscillators the correct value
is 8.7 kV/lineal inch of distance between two 1/2 inch dia. rod terminals
-- this would of course be slightly less potential with needle points, but
the standard is between rod gaps.  This value appears good for small and
medium size oscillators and changes slightly with larger units.

DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net

----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
> Date: Monday, August 03, 1998 8:06 PM
> 
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 17:04:50 +0100
> From: "chris.swinson" <chris.swinson-at-zetnet.co.uk>
> To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Subject: Re: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I'm new to it all so don't yell if you thinks its a bit odd.  But I
> generally say 20Kv will go 1 inch.  My Tesla coil was calculated to 200Kv
> for 10" spark so really I think you carnt go far wrong with that.
> 
> Chris.swinson-at-zetnet.co.uk
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Date: 03 August 1998 06:27
> Subject: Measuring Spark Distances (fwd)
> 
> 
> >
> >
> >---------- Forwarded message ----------
> >Date: Sun, 02 Aug 1998 20:23:33 -0400
> >From: Richard Staron <rstaron-at-aracnet-dot-net>
> >To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> >Subject: Measuring Spark Distances
> >
> >Now here is an interesting point of discussion that  I would like to
> >discuss with the group,
> >unless it has been discussed before and is resident in the archives.  I
> >guess what I would
> >like to see is a common method of measuring spark length that is simple,
> >easy to
> >duplicate by all with out using any high tech equipment.
> >
> >Question:  How does one measure the length of a spark generated from a
> >Tesla coil regardless
> >of the way the spark is generated?
> >
> >The answer seems quite simple until you start looking at all the
> >variables that could affect spark length.
> >
> >I guess I should explain how I measure spark length from my coil first.
> >
> >1.  I place a thumb tack on the outer most diameter of the toroid
> >pointing
> >    outwards.
> >2.  I have made a strike rod that has a 3/4" diam steel or brass ball on
> >the  end of a 1/4" brass rod
> >3.  The end of the brass rod. opposite to the ball is grounded.
> >4.  The height of the ball is set to be exactly the same height thumb
> >tack.
> >5.  Measurements are take between the ball and the thumb tack using a
> >standard tape measure (after the coil
> >    is off)
> >
> >In my particular situation, I watch the coil fire and the instant that I
> >see a VISUAL strike from the
> >toroid to the ball is comfirmation that I have made that distance.
> >
> >However I have also noticed that I may have to wait for a while before I
> >get another confirmed strike.
> >Was that poor design of my coil or was I just lucky when the strike
> >occured?  Who knows!
> >
> >The question is whether, that one strike confirms that distance or not?
> >It may never happen again!
> >Should a confirmation be made only after there are say 2 - 3 strikes
> >within a 60 second period?
> >Or should we just leave it at that and say that 1 visual stike is good
> >enough?
> >Maybe we should be using a sharp point at each end.....one on the toroid
> >and one on the ground rod...
> >or should we not use a sharp point at all to prevent breakout.....
> >
> >I guess what I am trying to get at is whether this group could come up
> >with a common method of
> >measuring spark distances that is easy, cheap, harmless and fun!  (I
> >guess fun is the most
> >important part of this!)
> >
> >Oh by the way, the longest spark that I have attained is 34" using
> >15KV-at-30ma / .005ufd / 4" D x 18 " / 22G wire
> >2 gap static gap /  and that is using my method of measurement.   I am
> >trying to improve that distance without going
> >to any RSG.  I guess only fine tuning will get that distance
> >increased...or maybe a large fly will fly between the
> >toroid and strike rod to increase my strike distance :)
> >
> >Looking forward to an interesting discussion.
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >Regards
> >
> >Richard Staron,  VE3FAC
> >http://www.aracnet-dot-net/~rstaron
> >
> >
> >