Q Factor and Overall Efficiency

["John H. Couture" <couturejh-at-worldnet.att-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)]

The Q factor tests have been discussed many times in past List posts.
However, these tests give the Q factor in a low voltage condition. This is
not the TC operating Q factor. The operating Q factor would give the
secondary voltage with the equation
    Vs = Vp * Q
where Vp is the primary peak voltage.

To find the operating Q factor would require only a scope and the proper
probe and the knowhow. To do the test find the half power points while the
Tesla coil is operating. Then determine the Q factor with the equation
    Q = Fr/(Fh - Fl)
where Fr is the resonant frequency, Fh is the higher half power frequency,
and Fl is the lower half power frequency. The Q factor would be the voltage
gain from the TC input to the TC output. This gain could then be used to
find the overall efficiency of the TC system. This would be done using the
energy equation
     Vs = sqrt(2J/Cs)
Overall efficiency would be the Vs(half power) test volts divided by the
Vs(energy) theory volts.

This operating Q factor and TC overall efficiency may be a first in the
design and engineering of Tesla coils. However, Terry Fritz may have already
done this? Have other coilers done this?

John Couture

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