Re: sparks running down secondary - why?

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <A123X-at-aol-dot-com>

They are called racing sparks and are due to over coupling. Usually they 
should be occuring less with a larger topload, unless the tuning ended up 
better with a larger topload. Try raising your secondary relative to the 
primary. Spark lengh may decrease but your secondary won't die. 

Mark 

In a message dated 5/28/01 4:15:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com 
writes: 


>
> Original poster: "Bill Vanyo by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" < 
> vanyo-at-echoes-dot-net> 
>
> Last time I ran my coil, I got occasional loud snappy sparks running 
> down the length of the secondary, as well as occasional firing of my 
> safety gap.  Wondering what causes the sparks down the secondary, and if 
> it's a problem? 
>
> The only change I made since my previous run (which was still 
> underperforming, but perhaps due to wind - not sure - this is my first 
> coil) was to hook my NST power supply (three 15/60's, two with internal 
> PFC) to a seperate 20 amp line.  I could now run it without tripping the 
> breaker.  I still plan on hooking it to a 30 amp 240 volt line, stepped 
> down by variac to 120 volt. 
>
> Oh, and the other change is a bigger topload.  Originally, I had a 
> smaller toroid, and now have added a larger one on top.  I can run with 
> just the larger. 
>
>    Thanks again, 
>    Bill V.