Re: making hv caps (fwd)

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: making hv caps (fwd)
From: Tesla List <mod1-at-pupman-dot-com>
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 15:43:52 -0700 (MST)
Approved: mod1-at-pupman-dot-com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 16:56:19 -0500
From: Thomas McGahee <tom_mcgahee-at-sigmais-dot-com>
To: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Subject: Re: making hv caps (fwd)

----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: making hv caps (fwd)
> Date: Tuesday, January 13, 1998 4:17 PM
> 
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 17:11:40 GMT
> From: Julian Green <julian-at-kbss.bt.co.uk>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Re: making hv caps
> 
> High voltage caps are often constructed by making several larger
> identical caps and connecting them in series to reduce the HV stress.
> 
> Has anyone considered using intermediate plates to build two series
> capacitors in the same role?
> 
> New circuit symbol:
> 
>      |||
> -----|||----
>      |||
> 
> Julian Green.

Julian,
I have built both rolled and flat plate caps that way. There are a few
gotcha's that you should be aware of, though. 

1) It works best with many thin layers, with an aluminum foil
section between poly sheets. It is not as useful when using thick poly.

2) If the thin poly sheet has a defect, the aluminum foil inter 
layers work in such a way that the defect *WILL* come into play.

3) This means that it is often useful to use a hybrid approach:
You use an inter-layer aluminum sheet every TWO poly sheets when
using 6 mil poly.

4) Edges will experience the greatest electrical stress. Make sure
you have adequate edge clearance.

Flat plate caps must be compressed so that the layers do not shift.

Hope this helps.
Fr. Tom McGahee