Re: TC Operation Question

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

Original poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

You don't need a ground rod, IF (and only IF) you are running on top of a
suitable ground plane/counterpoise to serve as the RF return.  A ground rod
would be impractical if you were running a coil on the 10th floor of a
building, for instance.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2003 4:44 PM
Subject: Re: TC Operation Question


 > Original poster: Gregory Hunter <ghunter31014-at-yahoo-dot-com>
 >
 > Emmett,
 >
 > I strongly suggest that you NOT operate the coil again
 > without an RF ground. Running without the ground can
 > cause unpredictable and possibly destructive
 > consequences. Radio Shack sells a 4-foot copper plated
 > steel ground rod for under $10. Go buy one and install
 > it before applying power to your coil again. Use 12AWG
 > stranded (or thicker) copper wire to attach your
 > secondary to the ground rod. Make sure you have a
 > sturdy mechanical and electrical connection between
 > the secondary and the ground rod.
 >
 > To answer your question, the ground is an essential
 > part of the coil system, every bit as important as the
 > primary, secondary, or any other major component.
 >
 > Regards,
 >
 > Greg
 >
 > --- Tesla list <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com> wrote:
 >  > Original poster: "EMMETT SECREST"
 >  > <secrest2032-at-msn-dot-com>
 >  >
 >  > I am new to TC's so I have a lot to learn. I would
 >  > like to know what
 >  > relationship the RF ground has to the operation of
 >  > the TC. I know it is to
 >  > direct RF to ground but what I was wondering was
 >  > what effect it has on the
 >  > operation of the coil if it is not present at all. I
 >  > am still waiting on my
 >  > MMC's from The Geek Group and in the mean time I
 >  > built a saltwater bucket
 >  > cap. I hooked it up and tried out my coil without an
 >  > RF ground (it was
 >  > raining and I was impatient). It would make the
 >  > florescent lights glow but
 >  > would not generate any arcs.  I don't know if it is
 >  > a coupling issue, a
 >  > tuning issue or the lack of an RF ground.
 >
 >  > Emmett
 >  >
 >  >
 >
 >
 > =====
 > Gregory R. Hunter
 >
 > http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg
 >
 >