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- To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
- Subject: Re: Question about primary coils
- From: FutureT-at-aol-dot-com
- Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 11:29:19 -0500 (EST)
> I'm new to Tesla Coils and I'm sure my question will point that out. > Can someone explain why in the primary coil you would have it spiral up the >secondary coil at a 30 degree angle. Why not a 75 or 90 degree angle. > Thanks > Peter >> Peter, Welcome to the wonderful world of coiling. The primary can spiral at any angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. A 0 degree angle pri. is called a flat spiral or pancake pri. and is a popular type. The 90 degree or cylinder pri. is less popular because it may over-couple if it's too small in dia., and because sparks may jump from the top of the secondary down to the top of the primary. Yet, many fine systems use the cylinder primary. The 30 degree (or 15, 20, 35, degree, ad nauseum) primary is a compromise that has some of the attributes of the flat and the cylinder primaries. To a large degree, the primary angle is a matter of practical preference, what really matters is the ultimate coupling or k factor that results. I personally use the 20 degree primary in most cases, but in small tube coils, I often use the cylinder primary because in general tube coils can withstand tighter coupling without the specter of racing sparks. In general, the exact angle will have little effect on the coil's operation. If the angle is too great, and causes racing sparks to appear, then just raise the secondary a little to stop them. John Freau
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