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Re: Steel structure - appropriate ground?



Subject:   Re: Steel structure - appropriate ground?
  Date:    Sat, 3 May 1997 13:35:35 +0500
  From:    Alfred A. Skrocki" <alfred.skrocki-at-cybernetworking-dot-com>
    To:    Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>


On Thu, 1 May 1997 22:37:19 -0500 Robert W. Stephens
<rwstephens-at-headwaters-dot-com> wrote;

> Alfred,
> 
> I have to dissagree with you here.  The third prong ground in a wall 
> outlet does indeed terminate in a fairly good ground, but only after 
> travelling considerable distance in parallel with the ac mains 
> conductors.  It is quite inductive and at Tesla coil frequencies can 
> become quite a RFI radiation source.  The drop along the length of 
> the oulet ground wire will be impressed on the AC mains, causing 
> mayhem to computers and the like everywhere in the building.

In residential wiring I would agree, but industrial wiring is all 
done in metal conduit which is also bonded to ground so it would act 
like a shielded cable and R.F. would not be capable of radiating from 
the wires.

> In some smaller coil applications you'd actually be better off not 
> using the ac ground and using a large metal counterpoise (large metal 
> desk, cluster of filing cabinets wired together, etc.?) in the vicinity
> of the TC instead.

This is fine if all you are looking at is the return ground for the 
R.F. but unless you use an isolation transformer, without a ground 
you are inviting severe electrical shock and possible electrocoution.

                               Sincerely

                                \\\|///
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                           Alfred A. Skrocki
                   alfred.skrocki-at-cybernetworking-dot-com
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