Re: frequency discussion

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

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

In a message dated 11/12/02 4:47:34 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:


>I m very curious what people s opinions are about frequency.  Is there a
>frequency that is ideal to run a tesla coil at? If not is it better to have
>a lower or a higher frequency? How does it effect spark length.
>
>
>
>Matt Morrissette


Matt,

Well, it really all depends on how much power and money you want to 
supply.  Smaller coils with secondaries in the 3 and 4" diameter range will 
have a self resonant frequency that is higher than larger coils in the 6 to 
10" diameter range.  Larger coils are certainly capable of producing longer 
sparks than smaller coils.  Their resonant frequency is lower and you can 
put more power into them without destroying them.  My 3" diameter coil runs 
at 15 kv 60 ma and produces about 24" sparks, running at about 284 
khz.  That is about the maximum power level this small coil will 
accept.  My 6" diameter coil runs at 14.4KV at about 500 ma and produces 
104" sparks, running at about 106 khz.  Again, this is close to maximum 
input power for this coil.  Adding more power to this coil does not produce 
longer sparks but creates very intense corona between the primary and 
secondary - looking like the secondary is close to breaking down.  I have 
f! ound that each particular coil, depending on it's physical geometry, 
will have a point where adding more input power does not result in longer 
sparks.

Ed Sonderman