Re: SSTC

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

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

In a message dated 12/18/02 7:44:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:


>Hi SSTC coilers,
>
>Spark gaps are said to cause up to 1/3 of a TC system's losses. In
>order to reduce these and as NSTs are rare in this part of the world,
>I'm planning on substituting the static spark gap of my small 2"
>system with silicon. Of course the system needs to be redesigned.
>
>1. Does John's formula "input power vs streamer length" still hold or
>could I expect a distinct improvement?


Herwig,

Replacing a spark gap with silicon is a tricky proposition.  I assume
you'll be using something like Terry's OLTC coil?  There are frequency
issues and other issues which create other losses.  So far there has
been no efficiency improvement if I remember correctly.

Now if you're planning to build a typical SSTC which is more of a
CW type device, then the "efficiency" will be much lower.  For tube
coils and (non-OLTC) SSTC's I use the formula:

   spark length inches = 0.48*sqrt input power (watts)

Full-wave will give more power throughput, but half-wave may
give longer sparks for a given input power.

John


>2. Are there any drawbacks (besides of $$ of course)?
>
>3. Searching the archives I've found that half wave rectification is
>used often. Wouldn't full wave rectification result in a higher
>throughput? Could one of the experts please enlighten me?
>
>Cheers
>
>Herwig