RE: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues

["John Paul Gripp" <pupman@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The smoke detectors detect both smoke and carbon monoxide and  are hardwired
with battery backup.  Since they are hard wired, when one goes off, it
triggers all of them to go off.  I have tried covering them with foil and
even temporarily removing it from the room where I run coil.  It will
eventually set off detectors in a nearby room and my neighbor's house.  

Currently, my VTTC has all common grounds through an EMI/RFI Filter to house
mains.  I have also tried using an RF ground to a water pipe while filtering
all other grounds to mains.  Neither made any difference with the smoke
detectors.   

Although I was trying to avoid it, I am thinking some sort of Faraday Cage
may be my best option for running this inside.  We will see if it makes any
difference.  

Thank you all for your help!

JP


-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Derek, Extreme Electronics
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:42 PM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: Re: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues

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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