Re: What is quenching? was, A Little more than general questions V

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <FutureT-at-aol-dot-com>

In a message dated 4/24/01 7:16:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com 
writes:

> 
>  Hi People,
>  
>    I seen the mention of "quenching" in a number of postings, and I'm abit
>  befuddled? Thats a good word, befuddled, but why quench the spark gap and
>  what are some of the better methods to use???

Wade,

When the spark quenches, the cap is free to charge up again
for the next gap firing.  If the gap never quenched, the cap could
never charge up.  Generally the gap will quench when the energy
from a "bang" is used up, so you don't really have to "make" it
quench.  Sometimes gaps get so hot they
power arc, and never quench.  Quench failure can occur also
if so much power and current runs through gap, such as when
using few primary turns, and high power.  Then multiple gaps are needed
or air fan gap, or air blast, rotary, etc.

Usually quenching is not a problem if traditional methods for
gap construction and coil design are used.  Quenching is not
real critical.  For instance 3rd notch quenching works fine.

John Freau