RE: breakout voltage

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

Original poster: "Luke" <Bluu-at-cox-dot-net> 

If this one is for DC voltages
May I ask what formula you use for the break out voltage of a toroid on
a TC.
Assuming all is perfect, shape smoothness etc.  and im not looking for
the most refined formula just like a basic one that gets me in the
football field.

Luke Galyan
Bluu-at-cox-dot-net

-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2004 4:46 PM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: breakout voltage

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com>


If you are applying this to a Tesla coil, no, it is not at all accurate.
TC
spark output depends on inductance ratio not spark length --- as the
spark
"grows" much longer through repeat ionization of the air near the HV
terminal.  You can see this effect with a very high speed camea.

You equation is for DC potentials.

Dr. Resonance

Resonance Research Corporation
E11870 Shadylane Rd.
Baraboo   WI   53913
  >
  > The formula for the field strength on a conductor with a given radius
is:
  > Field strength = Voltage / Radius.
  > The break down voltage for air is approximately 76KV / inch.
  > This value varies with humidity, frequency, temperature, barometric
  > pressure etc.
  > So combining these gives:
  > Max Voltage (before air breakdown) = 76KV * Radius (in inches)
  >
  > Is this correct for a close approximation?
  > When applying this to a toroid I was assuming the minor radius should
be
  > considered since it is the smallest curve on the toroid so the field
  > strength would be strongest there.
  > Am I correct in assuming this formula could be applied to the minor
radius
  > of a toroid to get it's approximate break out voltage?
  >
  >
  > Luke Galyan
  > Bluu-at-cox-dot-net
  >
  >
  >
  >