Re: oil dielectric

["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>


>>    There was an article in TCBA News a number of years ago which described
>>a 1920's vintage GE HV testing lab.  If I remember correctly,
>>one of the devices was indeed an oil-immersed Tesla coil.  Should work
>>fine, but messy messy messy.  Once stuff has been in transformer oil it
>>is never as nice again.

> Hmm,Tesla used boiled out oils, however the kind of oil was not

>specified.  Could an oil like peanut oil


	Need to check the dielectric constant, probably not
	specified.

> be used in place of the transformer oil?


	AND essentially all oils are more or less flammable.
	Except 'PCB's', which have their own problems.

> I understand it has a very high boiling point.  I also have

>been reading that distilled water would accomplish a similar feat,

> being non-conductive when distilled.


	It needs to be VERY well purified AND KEPT that way.
	Non trivial tasks.  And its more 'corrosive' than
	most oils.  99.99999% pure.

	(Near here: Some of my power comes from a HVDC
	substation, that chops +/- 500KVDC to 60 Hz.  They
	do all the HVDC with 99.99999 water....  They have
	Substantial Plant to keep it pure.)

> Of the two, which would be the better?  Paul


	Air?
	Free, self healing, good dielectric strength.
	Oil scares me from being flammable, tho many people
	use it.  I Have my doubts water can be kept
	sufficiently pure.

	best
	dwp