Re: Ballasting question

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "CJ Moore by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <wizard1234-at-home-dot-com>

So ballasting is not necessary not matter what the scenario is if you using
a shunted power supply?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: Ballasting question


> Original poster: "Charles Hobson by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <charles.a.hobson-at-btinternet-dot-com>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Sent: Monday, June 25, 2001 11:15 PM
> Subject: Ballasting question
>
>
> > Original poster: "Michael O. Poley by way of Terry Fritz
> <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <mpoley-at-mindspring-dot-com>
> >
> > Okay, since I got such a fast response on the other question, let me ask
> > this...
> >
> > Can someone explain the theory and practice of "ballasting"?  I'm
familiar
> > enough with the physics behind the Tesla coil, but the term has been
> > bandied about a lot and I haven't seen anything explaining what exactly
> > ballasting is nor when it should be done, and when it is acceptable to
> > overlook it.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > Michael O. Poley
> > mpoley-at-mindspring-dot-com
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> I hope you get some good clear answers to your question. I am looking
> forward to them also. My understanding for ballast is limited relative to
> Tesla Coil application, but as I see it, the ballast in needed for systems
> using "pole pigs", transformers where if the secondary is shorted, "like
> with a spark gap" , the primary see the short also. Hence, the minimum
> inductance needed in series with the primary appears to be a function of
the
> transformer's maximum VA rating. (You experienced guys please correct me
on
> this if I am wrong)
>
> But that's not where it seems to stop. Between bangs the transformer is
> looking at the Tesla Coil's primary tank circuit capacitor Cp. Thus, there
> appears to be an LC series circuit comprising Cp and L where L = ballast
> inductance x N^2 (pole pig turns ratio). Please again you experienced
guys,
> jump in and correct me if this is wrong. If I am right in this, then the
> ballast inductance can be increased from its minimum value to where it
will
> resonate with Cp at 50/60Hz. Again the transformer primary circuit will
> behave as a short circuit at resonance. So--- some value between the
minimum
> inductance and the resonating inductance needs to be worked out. I think
> inductances greater than the resonant value can also be considered.(Please
> again you experts, help!!) There seems again here to be computer programs
> around to work this all out, but I would like to see and understand the
> algorithms used.
>
> I hope this is helpful here or has stirred up better and more correct
> answers to your question.
>
> Chuck
>
>
>