Re: Primary Winding (Strip vs Tube

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

Original poster: "Dr. Resonance" <resonance-at-jvlnet-dot-com> 


I believe Gary was talking about RF currents --- like in a Tesla coil
primary circuit.

While aluminum and steel are acceptable at 60 Hz they are poor choices for
HF RF currents.  The result is the peak current in the primary is reduced
considerably.  Peak current (lots of it) is precisely what you want in a TC
primary circuit, and you won't get this with steel or aluminum.  Stick to
copper --- it's withstood the test of time by hundreds of TC experimenters.

Dr. Resonance

 >
 >
 > I think your statement is a bit flawed...steel is by far not the worst
 > conductor for a primary. Carbon would be much worse, then you have any
form
 > of dielectric which is a far worse conductor than steel...
 >
 > ---Eric
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
 > Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 2:03 PM
 > Subject: RE: Primary Winding (Strip vs Tube
 >
 >
 >  > Original poster: "Lau, Gary" <gary.lau-at-hp-dot-com>
 >  >
 >  > Steel of any sort is about the worst possible choice for a primary
 >  > conductor.  Yes, the rolls of steel shipping strap material look
tempting,
 >  > but the resistance of steel is very high.  Use only copper.  1/4"
copper
 >  > refrigeration tubing is common, inexpensive, easy to form, easy to tap,
 >  > easy to solder, and performs very well - I recommend it.
 >  >
 >  > Gary Lau
 >  > MA, USA
 >  >
 >  >
 >  > Original poster: "Luke" <Bluu-at-cox-dot-net>
 >  >
 >  > I was toying with the idea of making my primary out of a strip of
 >  > metal.  Seems like it may be easier to construct a primary coil from a
 > strip.
 >  >
 >  > Is spring steel ok for this or is copper the way to go?  Or are there
any
 >  > other suggestions for material?
 >  >
 >  > The other question is how wide and thick is recommended?
 >  >
 >  > Luke Galyan
 >  > Bluu-at-cox-dot-net
 >  >
 >  >
 >  >
 >
 >
 >