Re: Pole pig questions

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

Original poster: "Jeremy D. Gassmann by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" <gassmajd-at-email.uc.edu>

Adam,
         The unit of measure 'kVA' refers to the amount of "apparent power" 
(combination of real power and reactive power).  So a 5 kVA  rated pole pig 
running an input voltage of 14.4 kV with draw 350 mA.  But since you would 
run this in reverse (ie 14.4 kV as an output voltage) the pig would draw 
nearly 42 amps at 120 V and deliver 14.4 kV but not necessarily 350 mA 
since some of this power is reactive (power that is wasted) and the amount 
of 'real' power delivered depends on the power factor of the 
transformer.  As far as a variac goes, it is just a transformer that varies 
the output power given the input power.  These typically vary the output 
voltage from 0 V to the input voltage and sometimes a little more.  So less 
voltage into your pole pig, less power out of your pole pig.  As far as 
your other questions, I am somewhat of a newbie and have not experimented 
with arc welders or heater elements nor have I tried to obtain a pig from a 
power company.  I would think, though, that most power companies would be 
reluctant to give you a big because of the liabilities involved.  Well, I 
hope I didn't confuse you too much.  If I did, I will try to give a better 
explanation or someone else can help me out.

Jeremy Gassmann

At 11:20 AM 2/26/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <teslalist-at-qwest-dot-net>" 
><beans45601-at-themail-dot-com>
>
>If a pole pig is rated for 14.4kv 5kva, what does this mean? I know the kv 
>means kilo volt, but what does the kva mean? Is this like amps? Also, how 
>would you go about using a variac to limit the amount of power that goes 
>in. Also, how do you go about using an arc welder as a current limiter? 
>What are the pros and cons of using heater elements or lots and lots of 
>wire as a current limiter? Do the power companies sell pole pigs? How 
>would you go about getting one from a power company?
>Thanks
>Adam
>__________________________________________________________________