Re: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues

[Quarkster <quarkster@xxxxxxx>]

Derek -
 
The "ionized air" scenario doesn't explain how the coil is triggering smoke detectors in adjacent townhomes.
 
Scott

--- On Sun, 1/29/12, Derek, Extreme Electronics <tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


From: Derek, Extreme Electronics <tesla@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 4:41 PM


Jim,
If it is a smoke detector that looks for ionised particles, Tesla coils will set them off..  Its does exactly what it should when presented with a large TC generated cloud of ionised particles.

I haven't found a cure for this other than wrapping them in tin foil whilst the coil is in use. Of course the tin foil could be protecting the electronics from EMF.. All I can say is it works.

Please remember though, this does render the smoke detector useless at detecting smoke, you must remove the foil after the tesla coil use.

    Derek

On 29/01/2012 20:10, Jim Lux wrote:
> On 1/28/12 11:47 PM, John Paul Gripp wrote:
>> Hello All,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I have been having a problem with my smoke detectors going off every time I
>> run my SGTC or VTTC.  I am assuming it is EMI/RFI that is causing it.  It
>> would not be so bad, except that I live in a townhome and it tends to set
>> the smoke detectors off at my neighbors place as well.  Has anyone ever
>> dealt with this before?  Anyone have any clue what I could do to prevent it?
>> I wouldn't want to have to chose between moving and coiling!
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> What are your sparks arcing to, and what is the return path for the current to the coil?  You might be inadvertently setting up a good "transmitter" with a big loop.
> 
> What I would NOT do is try to engage in a EMI filtering campaign with the detectors.   You might, though want to see if you can get one of the detectors (same brand and model) and hook it up as a test fixture.
> 
> You want to know whether the EMI is getting into the detectors via conduction (e.g. power lines from your coil) or radiation (the power lines for the detectors are acting as antennas).
> 
> if it's the former, then adding filtering on your power supply might help.
> 
> If it's the latter, making sure you're not radiating (return path for sparks, etc.  Maybe a faraday cage, but I'm not sure that is practical or will work well in your situation.
> 
> 
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