Re: [TCML] Sudden and unexplained destructive racing spark flashovers

[DC Cox <resonance@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Over coupling is one cause of racing sparks.  It produces more than one HV
point near the top 1/4 of the coil which can cause local ionization and
eventual flashover in this area.

Second, and perhaps most ignored reason is sodium salts on the sec coil.
This is caused by handling coils with your bare hands and not wearing
plastic or cloth gloves.

Some people have slightly oily skin, and this, combined with a bit of skin
sweat salts is a low resistance conductor.  A single finger print could
cover 10-20 turns along a sec coil.
Now, add another 3-4 finger prints and you have a nice gapped series of
conductors.  Welcome to flashover city!!

Dr. Resonance




On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 5:29 PM, Yurtle Turtle <yurtle_t@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> A Tesla coil thinks air is a conductor.
>
> Adam
>
> --- On Mon, 6/29/09, Dex Dexter <dexterlabs@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > From: Dex Dexter <dexterlabs@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: [TCML] Sudden and unexplained destructive racing spark
> flashovers
> > To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Date: Monday, June 29, 2009, 4:36 AM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Speaking of spiders is a spider's web a conductive
> > material?
> > I guess it's not,but who knows.
> >
> > Dex
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Peter Terren" <pterren@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 7:20 PM
> > Subject: Re: [TCML] Sudden and unexplained destructive
> > racing spark
> > flashovers
> >
> >
> > > Sounds like a primary to secondary flashover rather
> > than a racing spark.
> > > The primary should never get to 30 kV above RF ground,
> > ie won't spark 1
> > > inch to the coil base although 10 turns up the
> > secondary adds 5kV.  The
> > > problem is that a longish wire to RF earth will have a
> > significant drop,
> > > so might develop 10kV across it.
> > > So what was a safe 1.5 inches gap from primary to
> > secondary might have
> > > become say 20kV plus 5kv plus 10kV. which will spark
> > 1.25 inches. Get a
> > > few cosmic rays and occasionally it will jump this
> > distance if all the
> > > voltages align.or if you have a primary strike.
> > > ... or it could have just been a spider as I think
> > happened to me once -
> > > hiding in the black cloth I cover the primary with to
> > prevent light spill
> > > from the gap.
> > >
> > > Peter www.tesladownunder.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
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