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Re: TC Secondary Electrostatic Charge

The ongoing observations of residual charge on the secondary 
insulation seems to warrant an investigation into the mechanisms 
involved. Something I'll commit myself to later this year.

> I found that when I move a fluorescent lamp up and down about an
> inch from th e secondary winding of my Tesla coil after it has been
> disconnected from the mains, the lamp flashes.  This phenomenon
> will occur for several hours after the TC has been operated.  The
> secondary coil is wound with magnet wire on a PVC tube and heavily
> insulated with styrene paint (Q dope).  I suspect that this effect
> is due to residual charge stored in the secondary capacitance.
> If I let it sit for a while after having generated many flashes
> and seemingly discharged the capacitance, it recovers.  Any
> theories about what is going on ?

I think you are experiencing dielectric memory. The general rule I
apply to capacitors is : _never_ assume the cap is fully discharged
just because you have discharged it. A safe capacitor is one with
a short applied to its terminals. I have been bitten more than once
like this. What seems to happen is that the stressed dielectric slowly
unstresses over a period of time.

Malcolm