Re: HV Cables

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

Original poster: Tesla729-at-cs-dot-com 

In a message dated 11/9/03 12:09:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:
>However, for higher voltage applications, the best high voltage wire out
>there is type RCB wire made by
>Rowe Industries.  Its a standard silicone type insulated wire with an
>internal conductive silicone layer immediately surrounding the wire
>inside.  This internal semi-conductive layer is used to equalize the
>voltage gradients around the internal wire prevents corona formation
>between the wire and the insulation.  Very expensive, but works
>extremely well.  I have a spool of this type of wire rated at 80kV, 8
>AWG!  Its 8 AWG and the jacket is about 1" in diameter.  I know a few
>people at Richard Hull's commented on this wonderful wire i had in Marx
>Generator charge circuit.
>
>Dan


Hi Dan,
all,

Yep, sounds like some great stuff but probably most of us can't
afford such exotic cable. Another suitable alternative is the trans-
mission cables that run the HV from the HV ports of x-ray transformers
to the x-ray tube heads. This cable is made just like coax cable that
plugs into the back of your TV from the cable or satellite compa-
ny, only a lot bigger. It actually has 3 central conductors w/ low
voltage insulation from each other and these (3) 14 AWG? con-
ductors are wrapped w/ thick rubber insulation which is in turn
wrapped in some carbon simi-conductor tape, then tinned-braided
grounding sheath and finally a thin outer rubber sheathing. The whole
cable is about 7/8" in diameter and is rated at 75 kVDC. X-ray cables
would be quite expensive theirselves, too, but it can often be found on
ebay in relatively short lengths (10' to 20') under headings like "high volt-
age". It may come w/ the blue Federal male plugs on each end made to
fit the female Federal HV ports of the x-ray transformer or x-ray tube
but they can easily be cut off if need be.

David Rieben