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Re: new secondary problems
From: Bert Hickman[SMTP:bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com]
Reply To: bert.hickman-at-aquila-dot-com
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 1997 8:50 AM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: new secondary problems
Tesla List wrote:
>
> From: kevin[SMTP:wawa-at-spectra-dot-net]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 1997 3:34 PM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: new secondary problems
>
> i just wound a new 6" secondary. i tested it out and it worked great.
> then i wanted to take everything apart and bring it inside. well, when i
> touched the upper half of the secondary i got shocked. i keep touching
> it and i keep getting shocked, it isn't even connected to the rest of my
> coil anymore, it is in my room. why do i keep getting shocked?
Kevin,
Welcome to the world of electrostatics! A well-constructed coil made
from good insulating materials (PVC, Polyurethane..) will build up LOTS
of trapped electrostatic charge on the insulated surfaces, particularly
at the top of the coil. In dry weather, these charges bleed away only
very slowly. Try this - after a run, put your hand near the top of the
coil winding or near the space where your coil ends and the top of the
coilform. You can often hear snapping and crackling as the trapped
charges discharge to your fingers, and in the process charging YOU up.
Assuming you are fairly well insulated (rubber-soled shoes), if you then
touch the grounded toroid, you'll get zapped as your charged body
discharges to ground. This is a surprise to all new coilers...
congratulations on making a rite of passage to intermediate coiler! :^)
Other symptoms of the trapped charges is that the insulated surfaces act
like a dust magnet, pulling in a layer of surface dust to coat the top
of the coilform. BTW, I've found that if I continually touch to toroid
while dusting it off, I won't get an objectionable charge buildup on my
body, and won't get "zapped".
Safe coilin' to you, Kevin!
-- Bert --