High Power Triggered Spark Gaps

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Original poster: "Nicholas Field by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <nick.field-at-hvfx.co.uk>

Hi All

For research into high powered TSGs we had some large aluminium heatsinks
professionally cast.  Four pairs of these are now surplus to requirements,
priced at £8 (~11 USD) per pair.  (ex. shipping and any applicable taxes).
They each weigh 292g (0.64lb.) and are 100mm (4") diameter, 10mm (0.4")
thick and have 7 18mm (0.75") high fins radially arranged around the back,
with a gap left where the 8th fin would be to allow a busbar up to 25mm (1")
wide to connect to the centre electrode.  There are four 'ears' cast onto
the periphery to facilitate mounting, each drilled with a 4mm (5/32") hole.
The centre, electrode, hole is 12mm (0.5") diameter.

A single pair of these will run only warm on a 3kVA coil, with moderate air
cooling.  They would also make ideal heatsinks for ordinary static gaps.
The benefit of the large surface area and very short thermal path is a
sigificant reduction in electrode tip temperatures compared to other
designs, and as wear is a high order function of electrode temperature
correspondingly improved wear and quenching characteristics.

nick.field-at-hvfx.co.uk

Nick

_______________
Nicholas Field
Director,  HVFX
www.hvfx.co.uk