RE: magnetic fields in spark gaps

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

Original poster: "Tristan Steele" <ozonejunkie-at-westnet-dot-com.au> 

Hi All,

Just yesterday, we had an induction coil running at a high frequency
with a spark gap of about 1.5cm.  Known to be the HV freak in the class,
the teacher let me do the demo of just creating sparks.  I managed to
get about 3" sparks. :)  I then closed the gap right down, and with an
arc running through the gap, placed a bar magnet beside the arc.  There
was a very distinct bend in the arc, and if the magnet polarity was
reversed, the arc bent the other way.  I may be able to get some photo's
of this, but no promises.  So, yes I believe that a magnet has an effect
on an arc.  However, there is no effect on a spark.  I also tried this;
just demonstrate the large amount of ionized air in the gap.


Tristan



-----Original Message-----
From: Tesla list [mailto:tesla-at-pupman-dot-com]
Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 11:19 AM
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: magnetic fields in spark gaps

Original poster: "Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz" <acmdq-at-uol-dot-com.br>

Tesla list wrote:
  >
  > Original poster: sean <sean-at-nc.rr-dot-com>
  >
  > If I put the sparkgap in a strong magnetic field.  Would this improve
  > quenching?

Some say that yes.
I tried to observe what happens with a DC spark from an electrostatic
machine. What I could observe was absolutely no effect, even with
magnets so strong that I can't separate two of them without tools.
With a continuous -strong- arc, the magnetic field may spread the arc
in two opposite directions (with AC current), contributing to its
dissipation. But I still have to see this actually happen.
Would someone have a picture showing this kind of effect? Or all is
really just talk?

Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz