RF burns

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: d a <btoc3000@xxxxxxxxxxxx>


Hi all,

Are RF burns caused by the arcs from the topload terminal of a tesla coil?

Once the topload charges up to it max capacitance,  the electric 
field around it will be high enough to cause a breakdown in the air. 
The discharge of the topload capacitance will be initiated in the air 
as arcs. These arcs will carry with it the charges accumulated on the topload.

Am I right to say that it is these arcs that cause RF burns? If so, 
why are these arcs termed as RF burns? - Is it because they are 
initiated at such high frequency, eg. 1.6 Mhz so in one second, we 
will be exposed to several million of these arcs on our exposed parts 
of the body?

Thanks,
Sam