copperclad Re: Objections to Steel Wire?

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

Original poster: "Jim Lux by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net>

Copperweld (a trade name for copper over steel) has been used for years
(decades) for RF (antennas, feedlines, etc.), just because the skin effect
means that only the surface needs to be a good conductor.  However, for
winding a coil, I'm pretty sure plain copper wire would be cheaper, and a
LOT easier to wind.  Copperweld is quite stiff.

Now, if anyone knows where to get stranded/braided copper over kevlar (or
dacron), I'd be interested to know... same function as copper over steel,
but much lighter and more flexible.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: Objections to Steel Wire?


> Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>"
<davep-at-quik-dot-com>
>
> There are different views on steel wire.  In general, copper,
> etc, are cheap enough that using them saves argument.
>
> A few technical points, tho:
> Measurements (from lightning work) show that
> there is little difference, since most of the
> current, at those freqs, is in the skin anyway.
>
> For many years, _steel_ was routinely used for
> lightning rod down conductors, and allowed by code.
> (dunno if it still is....).
>
> The freqs in lightning cover a range similar to
> those involved in Tesla Coil work.
>
> And, Bell Labs, which knows a bit about technology
> specified (and may still do so?) Copper Clad for
> aerial wires to house drops.  This was influenced by
> cost and strength, but, ferinstance, this 53kb data i
> send seems to travel nicely thereon...
>
> Intellectual curiosity makes me wonder what the actual impact
> to performance would be, if tried...
> (I'm not about to, and not proposing that anyone else do so...)
>
> best
> dwp
>
> ...the net of a million lies...
> Vernor Vinge
> There are Many Web Sites which Say Many Things.
> -me
>
>
>