Re: BTC3 Type coil

• To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
• Subject: Re: BTC3 Type coil
• From: "Edward V. Phillips" <ed-at-alumni.caltech.edu>
• Date: Sat, 26 Oct 1996 09:57:58 -0700 (PDT)

Stephen:
	Don't see how you can hurt your transormer by running it
the way you describe, PROVIDED you keep you total gap length short
enough.  I would set it so that it just breaks down with the
transformer and nothing else connected.  That may be a bit conservative,
but will make sure you don't accidently get into a 60 cycle
resonance between the transformer leakage reactance and your
primary capacitor.  This resonance can cause the transformer 
voltage to rise to way over the rated value and lead to immediate
destruction.
	The "pop pop pop" behavior is normal and predictable by
theory.  You should get much longer sparks if you run at full
line voltage and a much higher spark rate, due to the formation
of ion trails in the air which conduct from spark to spark.  These
are analogous to "leaders" in lightning bolts.
Enjoy!
Ed Phillips

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