Re: Malfunctioning MOT

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

Original poster: "Alexander Rice by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <alex-at-rices.myip-dot-org>

02/05/2002 05:03:01, "Tesla list" 
<tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:

>Original poster: "centauri by way of Terry 
Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <centauri010
-at-attbi-dot-com>
>
>I recently pulled 2 mot's out of 2 old 
microwaves. They both buzz when plugged
>in, but on one my multimeter says is running 
at 500v and the other one I can't
>even get a reading. I can't get the second 
one to even light up a LED and I
>haven't been successful in getting either to 
run anything. Any idea what could
>be wrong?

Centauri,

Firstly, since MOT's output 2500v + then your 
poor little multimeter wont be able to measure 
it and will get fried, i sincerly hope you 
werent holdign onto the probes of the 
multimeter at the time because you would have 
been in garve danger of getting killed - most 
multimeter leads are rated for 1000v pk-pk 
wheras you had about 3 times that. A led would 
be fried instantly - 1000x above its rated 
voltage. Set the mot up with a small gap 
between the secondary lead and the core of the 
transformer (2-3 mm) - if it jumps the gap the 
MOT is working, they are not very well 
ballasted so they do buzz/hum in normal 
operation because they tend to draw rather a 
lot of current from the mains line.
	Be terribly carful - by the sounds of it 
you should go get a book on basic electronics 
and read the documents about safety on 
www.pupuman-dot-com, MOT's are extremely dangerous 
as they can deliver huge currents in a fault 
(like if you touch it) and will kill 
instantly. For the beinner coiler Neon Sign 
Transformers or Oil Burner Ignition 
Transformers are easier and FAR safer.

Take Care - We dont want any fatalities

Regards

Alex