Re: Streamer lengths

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

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
>
>
>
>