Re: NST power rating -- another perspective

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

Original poster: "Gerry Reynolds" <gerryreynolds-at-earthlink-dot-net> 


Hi Malcolm

Good question.  The load is actually a series R C network where C is the
matching value for the NST.  It cancels out the reactance of the NST leaving
just its effective resistance.  Then, the R in the load can match the Reff
in the NST.  This is a very special case and, I think, is only academic
since we try to minimize resistance in the primary to prevent losses.

 > Being pedantic, how does a transformer with a matching resistive load
 > resonate or am I missing something?



Im finding the same thing.  When you have an attached spark, energy is
drained from the secondary before it can transfer back to the primary.  In
the streamer case, I'm finding that quenching seems to improve as the gap
widens (probably because it doesn't take much to stop it) :-)))

 > You can see gap firings as transient spikes on a scope fitted with an
 > aerial probe and positioned some distance away. You'll find as Cp is
 > increased that streamers increase in length until gap firing becomes
 > irregular and  unreliable with a resultant decrease in streamer
 > length to the point where it fails to fire altogether. Loaded Q for
 > the system remains relatively high for the streamer-to-air case and
 > will result in multiple energy trades and subsequently increased gap
 > loss. Best power transfer efficiency results with attached output
 > sparks as does best quench with lowest primary gap loss with the
 > qualification that the longest attached streamers are best to meet
 > this ideal.

Have a good day,

Gerry R.
Ft. Collins, CO