Re: strange charge

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

Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <davep-at-quik-dot-com>

Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Jason by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> <jasonp-at-btinternet-dot-com>
 
> Marc,
 
> You hear about this from time to time - I dont think that there is
> any real explanation.

	There are several.  (which is right is another matter)  This
	comes up (If its what i think it is...) about once a month.
	check the archives under 'strange shocks' for a possibly
	related discussion.
 
	(funny how the word 'strange' recurs...  8)>>)

> My theory is that a static charge remains in the tube (just as
> it does on some toploads)

	While it is common to regard a Tesla Coils 'ac', it turns
	out the discharge voltage in air is different for positive
	than for negative.  This means a residual DC voltage can
	be present.  (look up 'field ion rectifier') This, in turn
	can charge the bulk of the material of any insulator (eg:
	coil form), as an 'electret' or 'electrophorus'.	
	
> and the regular discharging of this caused the bright flashes.  As
> the charge becomes lower the static discharges become less
> frequent, so the tube stays charged for longer.

> Just a thought, mind you...

	likewise.
 
> Regards,
> Jason
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 3:19 PM
> Subject: strange charge
> 
> > Original poster: "Metlicka Marc by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <mystuffs-at-orwell-dot-net>
> >
> > All,
> > I have an interesting observation to report:
> > While firing my coil (around 33khz)  I placed a short 2' piece of neon
> > sign on a ladder around 8' away.  After firing the coil with some
>>nice blue haze from the ladder and strong hits, i walked over to get 
>>the bulb, it lit?

	With the coil off?

> > only for a short time but it lit? Repeatably?

> > Somewhere around the bulb area either us or the atmosphere is being
> > charged.

	cf above.  Stray charge on the structure of the coil form.
 
	The motion of a conducting body (you....) into the
	field redistributed the field enough to fire the neon
	tube.

	best
	dwp