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Re: Tungsten electrodes (fwd)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:47:29 -0700
From: "D.C. Cox" <DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: Tungsten electrodes (fwd)
to: Bill & List
Good points Bill. We use very high quality units for over 25 years and
have never had one detach yet. They are expensive but for liability
reasons we use only the best available components and conduct worst case
tests at 40-50 kva to check their integrity. Also it is important no
matter what type of RSG you are running to hand check electrodes prior to
operation in any public environment. We always spin the rotor and check
the stationary electrodes for clearance prior to shows as well. We ALWAYS,
ALWAYS orient the coil so it is parallel to the presentation stage and
perpendicular to the audience. Some builders use lexan shields which is
also a good idea. As you mentioned we always use lock-tight on electrode
installation and also on the rotor DUAL (never single) setscrews which
attach the rotor to the shaft.
DR.RESONANCE-at-next-wave-dot-net
----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: Tungsten electrodes (fwd)
> Date: Monday, December 15, 1997 11:38 AM
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 11:31:34 -0700
> From: Bill Lemieux <gomez-at-netherworld-dot-com>
> To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Subject: Re: Tungsten electrodes
>
> D.C. Cox wrote:
>
> > Subject: Re: Tungsten electrodes
> > to: Gary L.
> >
> > We use 1/2 dia brass with "screw-in" tungsten electrodes that have a
> > 3/8-16NC thread.
>
> One problem with using threaded inserts of course, is that the inserts
> can fly out, at deadly velocity.
>
> I once saw a white-hot tungsten insert fly out of a rotary gap and over
> the heads of a large audience, hitting the back wall of the room with
> quite a bang! It was only sheer dumb luck that the tangent at which the
> insert chose to fly off at was horizontal. Had the tangent been a few
> degrees lower, it would very likely have killed someone.
>
> If you use inserts, make sure you tighten them carefully, use a high
> grade of Lok-Tite on the threads, and finally, never leave your rotary
> gap physically exposed! Always put a "bullet proof" shield around it.
>
> Another problem is that the inserts must be as carefully weight-matched
> as the permanent electrodes, to maintain balance. Personally, I prefer
> to use long enough copper-tungsten electrode to accomodate erosions, and
> press them into place so that it's nearly impossible for them to come
> out from vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, and the like.
>
> -Gomez
>
> --
> .......................................................................
> . personal email: gomez-at-netherworld-dot-com .
> . personal web page: http://www-dot-netherworld-dot-com/~gomez .
> .......................................................................