Re: [TCML] Displaying Tesla Coil in Shopping Mall

[jhowson4@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Jim, 

You have to be careful when displaying coils in public, not only for peoples health, but also the likely hood you will be sued for something completely stupid goes up with the millionth power of how many volts you are using. 

The only "safe" way I have found to do it it to use a double Faraday cage system. 
I put safe in quotes because there is always some level of uncertainty . 


The inner cage is tied to RF ground and ISOLATED from the external cage, and real ground, The external cage is tied to an earth ground on a standard outlet or a building structural beam or something. 

Then you have a barrier approximately 10ft from the coil and put up plenty of signage warning of the dangers close to and far from the coil. 
Before you turn it on, make an announcement stating the danger (pacemakers, hearing aids, etc) 




Thanks, 
John "Jay" Howson IV 


"Why thank you, I will be happy to take those electrons off your hands." 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <electrical@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 11:41:34 AM 
Subject: [TCML] Displaying Tesla Coil in Shopping Mall 

Hello Friends, 

I hope 2012 is finding you well. 

There is a Makers Fair in my town at the local mall and I have been 
asked to display my Tesla coil. Could you guys give me some guidelines 
and answer some questions about this project? 

1) Are there some safety issues that I have to be concerned about? The 
coil uses 2 - 9000-volt neon sign transformers, pulls 540-watts and puts 
out about 30 streamers. 

2) Right now I am using a ground rod underneath the coil for coil 
grounding. This will not be possible at the mall. Is there a recommended 
method for grounding my coil? 

3) Last but not least, should I get some insurance and sign some kind of 
agreement with the mall owners? 

Thanks a bunch. You guys helped me build this coil 5 - years ago. It has 
been running greatly without a hitch for the last 5 - years without any 
protection devices installed. 

Best To All!!! 

Jim 



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