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Re: How do sparks propagate, anyway?
Subject: Re: How do sparks propagate, anyway?
Date: Mon, 05 May 1997 21:39:37 -0700
From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com>
Organization: Stoneridge Engineering
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
References:
1
Tesla List wrote:
>
> Subject: How do sparks propagate, anyway?
> Date: Sat, 03 May 1997 17:47:12 -0800
> From: Greg Leyh <lod-at-pacbell-dot-net>
> To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
<SNIP>
>
> Given the large number of newbies on this list, I would like to re-visit
> an
> old issue from a 'theory of arc dynamics' standpoint -- Why do many
> coilers
> report that a larger toroid increases the striking distance of their
> coils,
> given that increasing Coutput always decreases the output voltage?
> (I am assuming that the striking range is increased by more than just
> the
> increase in toroid radius.)
>
> -GL
Greg,
An interesting question for sure! I'm assuming you're refering to cases
where the tank C, gap breakdown voltage, and incoming power levels are
not changed. I suspect that part of the reason has to do with the
enhanced capability of a larger toroid to provide minimal voltage drop
while supplying high-amplitude current peaks that occur during
propagation/growth of the streamers. A larger "chunk" of toroid
capacitance would permit a greater reserve of charge to be available to
support further propagation. Although the larger C would also reduce
maximum voltage, I suspect this is of secondary importance AS LONG AS
the voltage is high enough to initiate and maintain streamer production.
This may be why lower Z ( or relatively higher self-C) coils may see
reduced benefits from oversized toroids.
Have to think about this a bit more...
-- Bert H --