Re: [TCML] Voltage Question

[jhowson4@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Charlie, 
I think a method to measure this was on the tesla down under site a while ago, but maybe that was E field. 
What I would do is to make a huge HV divider and the rectify / filter the last resistor. Be sure to use fast diodes. 
Then set it so the coils maximum arc length hits the top and get a DC reading on a regular volt meter. 
I recommend a giant string of 1 or 10 Mohm resistors inside a small PVC pipe potted in wax or something. 



Thanks, 
John "Jay" Howson IV 


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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Van Neste" <cwvanneste@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 2:43:19 PM 
Subject: [TCML] Voltage Question 

Hi Everyone, 

I have been trying to quantify the Tesla coil I recently made and I've had some issues trying to calculate the voltage of the top terminal (I think it is normally called the Top load - but I think that is a terrible description). Anyway, measuring the E field is straight forward. I typically put mini-grabber clips on a pole and elevate it to the same 
height of the top terminal. The clips are connected to a coax cable 
which goes to a grounded oscilloscope - making sure this E-field "probe" is far enough away not to disturb the system. Of course the E field is not the actual voltage of the top terminal. The only way I've been able to estimate it is to slowly turn the input voltage up until streamers form at the top (then I know the top terminal voltage is near 30kV - since that is the breakdown voltage in air, again this still assumes a gap of 1cm and the top terminal is with respect to ground so the voltage may be much higher than 30kV). You can't bring a probe near the terminal or you change everything. I need to know the top voltage so I can get an accurate measurement of the voltage gain of the system (from input to output - output being the top terminal). I would think there is a way to calculate the voltage by taking measurements of the E-field (since voltage should be related to the electric field)? How do you guys figure out your top terminal 
voltage? 

Thanks, 
Charlie 

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