RE: Streamer lengths

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

Original poster: "John H. Couture" <couturejh-at-mgte-dot-com> 


Bart -

The controlled spark is a constant load on the TC output. This means it is a
continuous output spark load and spark growth is involved with the
controlled spark. The energy (watt secs, joules) for a particular spark
length can be easily found. For example with a 60 Hertz supply there would
be 120 sparks per second. The energy per spark would be 1/120 of the total
input watt seconds. Brightness, color, corona, etc, are not factors in
determining the spark length with a proper test.

The random and varying spark lengths indicate a varying and random energy
per spark in producing the sparks. This is the problem with random spark
length tests. Comparing varying spark lengths with varying energies makes no
engineering sense because there is no way to determine the energy (watt
secs) for a particular spark. Because of this problem when a TC is rated
with random spark lengths only the total input watts can be given with no
regard as to what amount of energy produced the extra long random spark
length.

John Couture

-----------------------------


-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 10:22 PM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Streamer lengths


Original poster: Bart Anderson <classi6-at-classictesla-dot-com>

Hi Gerry,

The controlled spark is a 1 spark event and streamer growth is not involved
in this number. I just wanted to clarify that.

When I think of random spark lengths (continuous running), I consider the
sparklength whatever my eyes see, regardless of color. I friend down the
road came over last weekend to see the coil run (in garage). I run at low
power in the garage and simply turn the juice until it begins hitting the
garage door about 5 feet away from the toroid edge. Right after I shut
down, this friend said, "wow, those were about 5 feet long, can they go
longer". I said " oh yes, but not in the garage".

The point is, the friend realized the average sparklength right away. He
saw five feet, I saw five feet. If you can see it, it's there (blue,
purple, green, white, etc..). Of course, there is a corona around the spark
channel, but not in any great length from the end of the channel. I suspect
it's just lower power at the end, colder, and blue/purple in color near the
thining end.

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

 >Original poster: "John H. Couture" <couturejh-at-mgte-dot-com>
 >
 >Gerry -
 >
 >I believe the "Controlled Spark" is a fair and reasonable method of
 >comparing Tesla coil output spark lengths. The controlled spark makes
 >engineering sense compared to the random streamer or spark that is
presently
 >used.
 >
 >The controlled spark is a constant load on the TC output. This means the
 >energy per spark is a constant and not a varying energy per spark. A
varying
 >energy per spark can give an unfair advantage to a coiler because the true
 >input energy for the spark is unknown. The controlled spark is a horizontal
 >spark from the toroid to a ground point. It is determined by moving the
 >ground point until the sparking is constant and not intermittent.
 >
 >The controlled spark leaves a lot to be desired but so far no one has come
 >up with anything that makes more sense.
 >
 >John Couture
 >
 >------------------------------
 >
 >
 >-----Original Message-----
 >From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
 >Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 8:31 AM
 >To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
 >Subject: Streamer lengths
 >
 >
 >Original poster: "Gerry Reynolds" <gerryreynolds-at-earthlink-dot-net>
 >
 >When measuring streamer lengths (to free space), I'm finding that a portion
 >of ithe streamer is bright enought to see in day light.  However, in the
 >dark there is another outer portion that I was thinking was just a
 >corona.  Upon closer examination (literally - this is a small coil), the
 >"corona" has a structure to it like a dim streamer.
 >
 >Is the length of this "dim" streamer counted toward the "official" streamer
 >length?  The context of this question is streamers to free space.
 >
 >For arcs to ground,  is there a "standard" way to measure the length? ....
 >like a grounded shere with a certain radius,   a measurement where the
 >ground is just starting to corona (or emit dim sparks),  or a measurement
 >where a "power arc" occurs, etc.
 >
 >Thanks for any insight,
 >
 >Gerry R.
 >Ft Collins, CO
 >
 >
 >
 >