Re: [TCML] Spark gap comparisons

[Mddeming@xxxxxxx]

Hi,
    This brings up a very interesting question on the  non-linear dynamic 
resistance of spark gaps, which I have never seen addressed.  If we call the 
effective resistance of a gap at any instant R*, then the  instantaneous power 
being dissipated across each gap(x) is Px= Ex^2/R*x, Where  Ex is the voltage 
drop across gap(x). If we have 5 gaps, each 1 mm in width, is  the sum of the 
R*s, (and thus the Pxs)equal to, greater than, or less than  the R* of a single 5 
mm gap? Likewise, does a straight arc have the same dynamic  characteristics 
as an arc blown into a "U"-shape by high pressure or vacuum? I  think not, but 
can't prove it. This might be a worthwhile project for those who  have the 
time, equipment, and ability to do precise, repeated  measurements.
 
Matt D.
 
 
In a message dated 2/24/08 11:13:46 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
FutureT@xxxxxxx writes:


My  thinking was that for a given coil, increasing the arc length
would tend to  increase the arc resistance, since mostly everything
else is staying mostly  the same; the bang size, the peak  currents,
the bps, the spark  streamer output lengths, the winding  resistances,
etc.  I would  think that if these things were shifted rather  radically,
then the  arc resistance would shift radically, but if these things
are pretty much  constant, then the arc resistance should be
somewhat "agreeable".  The  type of materials of the gap can  
have an effect, but I think it  tends
to be a small effect.  I would think the change in losses  (due  to
arc length) would have the largest effect.  I just don't  see  why
making the arc much longer would be expected to have no  effect
(on arc resistance),
in a situation where mostly everything else  in the coil is mostly
the same.  But you may be right.  I'm not  an expert on  gap
physics.  Yes, more experiments and research is  needed.
What's interesting to is that many of these experiments are
not  really difficult to perform, so I'm surprised that more folks
have not done  them.  Just looking at peak voltages, peak
currents, ring down  decrement, quenching, etc. would tell
a lot, when comparing gap  systems.  This work can be done
on a small table top system, so that  the sparks won't be
hitting walls and generally creating havoc during the  testing.








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