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Re: UL Tesla Coil

Hi Ted,

	I too was inquiring about such things.  I deal with TUV, NRTL, UL, CSA...
all the time at work.  I have seen safety approvals on all kinds of bazaar
high power/voltage equipment.  One would probably be able to get a
significant number of approvals for a Tesla coil if you really tried.  It
would increase the cost of the coil about 3 times mostly in enclosures and
some special "approved" parts.  The NST from the junk yard doesn't quite
rate...

	There are two significant areas of concern.  Emitted RF, and that nasty RF
ground.  If one really tried you could get the RF from a coil way down and
squeak it by.  However, the RF ground connection is pretty "bad" but you
may be able to use the radio regulations on that...  If you can convince
then that you have really worked hard on safety issues and such and made it
as safe and RF friendly as possible.  You can go a long way in such
approvals.  Interestingly, having it produce a few hundred KV is not a big
deal at all as long as it stays where it should.

	Of course, all such things are voluntary but the EU tries to require some.
 Mostly they are good selling point to show you really try to care about
safety and RF issues.

Cheers,

	Terry 


At 07:21 AM 02/04/2000 -0600, you wrote:
>Hi all....time for a funny story.
>
>Here at Tandy we have a Regulatory dept that makes sure that the products
>using AC that you all buy at your local RadioShack, are safely made.
>
>I had a chance to speak with the head of the dept yesterday and mentioned to
>him that I was building a TC. I jokingly said "Can I get it UL Approved."
>
>He said that UL doesn't approve anything. They "list" instead.
>And..he went on..they check and list the comments that make up the device,
>not the application. He said that UL once listed an electric chair! They
>basically said that they made sure the operator wasn't going to get zapped
>because of faulty components at his end of the configuration...not the other
>end <smirk>
>
>So, folks, with that in mind, make sure your NSTs are UL listed for
>openers...pigs too. An RFI boxes etc. Then apply for a listing if you will
>as a manufacturer. Oh, and BTW, an official check and listing process costs
>a mere $6000-$10000 depending upon the complexity of the item.
>
>But did I get an education or what!
>
>Safety to us all!
>
>Ted
>