Re: Elementary Lecture

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Elementary Lecture
From: David Trimmell <davidt-at-pond-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 1999 21:16:55 -0700
Approved: twf-at-verinet-dot-com


>> 
>> Brian Basura's coil doesn't even seem to like ground rods, even though
he is
>> producing healthy 4-5 ft arcs!  Yes, I'm sure the rod and the bottom of his
>> secondary were adequately grounded... Is there a scientific explanation for
>> this
>> or is his coil just "confused"? hehehe
>> 
>> Anyone have any ideas on this one?
>
>My explanation for the "ignoring the ground rod" phenomenon: the 
>voltage is not high enough for a direct leap. Instead, successive 
>sparks grow in the tracks of their predecessors.
>
>Malcolm
>
>

Yes, and at such a high frequency the time between pulses is so short that
the ion trails have not had time to dissipate, so the discharge "grows"
upon itself. At 60 Hz the time between max voltages is so long that the ion
trails have mostly dissipated, so it takes more voltage to breakdown a
specific distance through air. Correct? Now if we had a very high voltage
DC source with continually supplied energy then we should see a similar
open air discharge, i.e. a VandeGraaff Generator.

It is certainly weird too see a coil sending out 4' streamers, and place a
ground source at, say 3.5', and have the streamers completely ignore it.
But, if you leave it there long enough it will get hit, at least that is my
experience.

Regards,

David Trimmell