Re: What is a "pole pig"?

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

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Tesla729-at-cs-dot-com>

In a message dated 1/17/02 9:19:46 AM Central Standard Time, tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
writes: 



>
>    I know I'm a beginner and all, but what is a "pole pig"?  Is it a 
> transformer or what. And what is meant by "pole pig ballast"? 
>    Thanks 
>    Rick Logan 
>    klogan2026-at-aol-dot-com 
>
>



Hi Rick, 

A 'pole pig" is the slang designation for a pole mounted 
distribution transformer. Tesla coilers that want to build 
really big TC systems (over 8 ft. sparks) use small pole 
pigs as power supplies for their coil. Most coilers prefer 
them rated at 14,400 volts in and 120/240 volts out and 
wire them backwards so with 240 volts in they get 14 kv 
out. Although pole pigs can be rated  >100 kVA, coilers 
usually prefer them in either 5 or 10 kVA flavor :-) 

If you're a beginner, I would strongly suggest that you 
start with a smaller coil system to "get your feet wet" 
as pole pig transformers are very dangerous and will 
quickly electrocute you if you make a careless mistake! 

David Rieben