Re: Strike rails/safety gaps IMPORTANT

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

Original poster: "Malcolm Watts by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <m.j.watts-at-massey.ac.nz>

Hi Greg,

On 12 Jul 2002, at 22:24, Tesla list wrote:

> Original poster: "Mr Gregory Peters by way of Terry Fritz
<twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <s371034-at-student.uq.edu.au>
> 
> 
> 
> > Greg,
> > 
> > I now strongly see the point in having these protecion devices, 
> > the only 
> > reason i didnt see the harm in not having them was that my coils 
> > are 
> > considered "small" and only put out 2-3 foot arcs and run from 
> > lower powers, 
> > and dont use such high powers as the story you posted.  I'll 
> > definitely have 
> > to say that im wrong in thinking that these safety devices are not 
> > necessary.
> > 
> > Steve Ward.
> > 
> 
> Steve, all,
> 
> This mesage wasn't a personal attack at you. I'm sorry if you thought 
> it was. It was just two days ago that I spoke to a pig powered coiler 
> who is not using a safety gap. I had this mostly in mind when I wrote 
> that email. Not using safety devices is a bit like drawing an arc off 
> the top of the coil: You will get away with it 999 times out of 1000, 
> but on the thousandth attempt you will get bitten. Clearly, if it is 
> impossible that your coil will strike the primary, you don't need a 
> strike rail. This was the case will my first coil - way back in `94. 
> However, I think a safety gap should always be used. Besides, a safety 
> gap can simply be some fencing wire bent from the NST output to the 
> case. It doesn't have to be a beautifully machined peice of art. I 
> think the extra bother is worth the safety offered to the components 
> and maybe even us. 
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Greg Peters.

Ironically, the only time I lost a NST was the one time I did use a 
safety gap. I should point out that safety gaps are supposed to 
protect transformers, not people. Common sense is the biggest people 
protector I know of.

Regards,
Malcolm