Re: basic questions

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

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

Steve,

PFC will most likely reduce the current draw substantially,
and help the light dimming issue.  Yes, you can use somewhat
less than the calculated value, and it will still help substantially.

Another thing to keep in mind is that NST's can draw considerably
more than their rated current, even with PFC, in a Tesla coil
system.  This is because the tank C will tend to "neutralize"
the NST leakage reactance in a matched system, and the
use of a 140V variac to power the system will force the system
to work outside of it's design parameters even in an LTR system,
and can cause it to draw more than it's rated current, no matter
what type of PFC is used.  A 240 volt rating is fine.  Be sure
not to use motor start caps, which can blow up.

John