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Re: Opinions on hv and lv proximity sought

In a message dated 1/17/99 2:46:16 AM Pacific Standard Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
writes:

> 
>  I would like opinions on where to place hi-voltage components in
>  relation to low-voltage components. What I am trying to decide is
>  whether to place both in my control cabinet. The individual parts are
>  seperated by a good amount so arcing isn't a problem, but will the
>  low-voltage components pick up radiation from the hi-voltage
>  components is what I'm concerned about.
>  
>  What I have done is place the safety-gap, bypass caps, and a couple
>  resistors on one side and some chokes on the back wall on the inside.
>  The leads from the chokes drop straight down to insulators and pass
>  through a shelf to the bottom. The spark-gap is on the bottom shelf
>  and the hi-voltage then goes out through the side and connects to the
>  wires leading to the coil. At least that's what I have planned. It
>  isn't all finished yet and can still be changed easily. Oh yeah, the
>  reason for the middle shelf is to protect these parts from the rotary
>  which will be on the bottom.
>  
>  Opinions?
>  
>  Thanks,
>  Alan Jones

Alan,

The control cabinet is where you will be standing or sitting, correct?  By
definition, this will be some safe distance from the coil.  Your main tank
circuit spark gap (static or rotary) should be located physically as close as
possible to the primary and tank circuit capacitor, with the associated
interconnecting wires or cables not unnecessarily long.  If your H.V. power
transformer(s) is small enough, such as neon sign transformers, I would
suggest also locating them clost to the coil along with all the safety gaps,
bypass caps, etc.  If you are using a large transformer, such as a
distribution transformer, it will need to be located out of reach of the
sparks from the coil.  I have all my control circuitry mounted together in one
location, a few feet away is the distribution transformer, then it connects to
a board that has the safety gaps and whatever else you might want such as
bypass caps and resistors (personally, I have removed both of those items).
Then, I have the H.V. power feeds that run out to the coil, using about 25
feet of RG213 with the shield removed.  I also have two low voltage ac feeds
going out to the coil to supply power to the rotary gap motor and the rotary
fan.

Ed Sonderman