Re: Ground, etc. (Re: A few Q's)

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

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

Tesla list wrote:
> 
> Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<jim-at-jlproduction-dot-com>
 
> Hi all
> DWP I am left a little confused by your comments. Are you saying that
> the cement will conduct enough to cause harm or that it is ok just
> laying there?

	I'd not expect (nor did i mention) harm.  Just useful to
	know that cement is a fairish conductor.  I' would suspect
	most of the current that makes it tot he 'cylinder head'
	(or whatever) will run right into the concrete. 

> Also of note is that I too have seriously debated the Variac's ground
> point.

> I think that maybe after all I should just use the mains ground and
> leave the other item(s) for the RF ground.
 
	My snap opinion is that the variac case should be connected to
	power line ground.

	I Would Appreciate Suggestions from Others...

> The secondary part I pretty much had decided to do something with
> anyway so I will secure that somehow.

> Thanks for anyone who can set me straight on this. I really want to make
> sure that I (nor anyone else) gets hurt.
 
> Jim L
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 6:11 PM
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: Ground, etc. (Re: A few Q's)
> 
> Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
> <davep-at-quik-dot-com>
> 
> Tesla list wrote:

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

> > Hi,
> > I am using a ground rod in the yard.

> > What I am doing with the cyl head is using it as a junction box
>>per se.  The leads coming off the secondary, safety gap, NST and
>>Variac I wanted to keep short to I connected them all to the cyl
>>head laying on the floor a few feet away. Then I will bolt one
>>long lead from the cyl head, out to the yard where it will attach
>>to the ground rod.
 
>         I believe some would argue for tying the variac to the power
>         line ground.
 
> > I glass beaded (like mild sandblasting) the entire head to it is
> > scale/oxidation free but it is dull in appearance.
 
>         Al, in air, is NEVER oxidation free.  It oxidizes
>         Immediately.  (The oxide is clear, so it may look
>         shiny, and 'clean'.  The Oxide is fragile enough
>         so that tightening a screw, etc will disrupt it.
>         THAT gets a metal to metal joint, which, if tight,
>         excludes the oxygen.  (typically, toughing with
>         an ohmmeter probe will break the oxide: which appears to
>         conduct...)
 
> > Is this set up ok? Should I put the head on a piece of wood or
> > plexi so it is not right on the same floor that I am standing
> > perhaps? It is a cement floor and not dirt or wood
 
>         Cement, in a mass (as here?) is a pretty good conductor.
>         I expect current is flowing thru the cement...
 
> > so I figured I would be ok.

> > One other thing I wanted to ask. My secondary is just sitting there in
> > the middle of my primary. Does this need to be attached somehow so it
> > wont tip over or is just standing up ok? It does not seem to "tippy"
>> but I didn't know if during operation it could get knocked over somehow.
 
>         I'd figure a way to secure it.  Any little thing (air currents,
>         etc) could tip it...
 
>         best
>         dwp

	best
	dwp