Re: Caps

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Caps
From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-jpl.nasa.gov> (by way of Terry Fritz <twf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 17:31:00 -0600
Approved: twf-at-verinet-dot-com



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> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Caps
> Date: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 3:52 PM
> 
> Original Poster: Scott Harris <srharris-at-Princeton.EDU> 
> 
> Nobody answered my questions, so I'll ask again.
> 
> Doorknob caps:  How suitable are they for a NST powered Tesla coil?

Depending on the kind, they work fine. A bit lossy, compared to some other
types of cap, so you have to make sure they don't overheat.  doorknob
"transmitting" caps, designed for high RF currents work fine. 
I've got a little 3" diam coil using some 2700 pF 40 kV Sprague (now
Ceramite) units.

> Do HV ceramic caps work poorly, or not at all?

If you are talking about the ceramic disk caps, they don't work all that
well (too lossy). 

> 
> Does anybody know of good commercial sources for new and/or surplus HV
caps.

Resonance Research sells to the TC market as a retail outlet for Maxwell
Labs.
Maxwell Labs (San Diego, CA) is a well known manufacturer of pulse caps.
Aerovox, Plastic Caps Inc, Physics International are others.
Commercial pulse caps are fairly expensive (hundreds of $$) but, used
within their ratings, are rock solid and reliable.