Re: Duty cycle of OBIT?

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: FIFTYGUY@xxxxxxx 

In a message dated 2/12/07 5:19:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:

>I know that NSTs are not designed to hold a high voltage for a length
>of time longer than it takes to initiate the arc, but what about
>OBITs?  Are they designed to be at their full rated voltage for duty times?

    Good question!
    I've owned four or five OBITS over the years (seen one, you've 
seen them all..).
    I've also seen them in use in their intended application. They 
live out their lives bolted to the front door of a boiler, subject to 
constant heat and vibration, paint, dirt, abuse, fuel oil leaks, and 
drastic (sometimes abrupt!) temperature changes. They seem to last 
surprisingly well! I think I've only seen one replaced in about 22 
"boiler-years" of experience.
    As far as actual duty cycle, they typically fire for about ten 
to 30 seconds for each start attempt. Depending on how often the 
boiler or furnace is started, they may only have to run that 20 
seconds once or twice a year, or up to maybe 100 times a day. Still 
not much of a duty cycle!
    For that matter, the same could be said about NST's...

-Phil LaBudde