Re: vacuum spark gap

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: vacuum spark gap
From: "Ruud de Graaf" <rdegraaf-at-daxis.nl> (by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>)
Date: Mon, 01 May 2000 16:41:19 -0600
Approved: twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net
Delivered-To: fixup-tesla-at-pupman-dot-com-at-fixme


> Original Poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-jpl.nasa.gov>
>
> Gavin is basically right.  A vacuum is a fairly good insulator.  The
> breakdown is by field emission of electrons, which knocks a few electrons
> off the electrode, which then starts to get warm, and then, once it's
> going, vaporized metal ions keep it going.  It doesn't take much metal to
> do this BTW.
>
> Xrays would be a problem when you get over about 10 kV, but assuming you
> put the thing in a metal can, it shouldn't be a big problem.
>
> Quenching may prove to be a problem.
>
> There are several on this list (and in the archives) who have made gaps
> from retrofitted vacuum circuit breakers.  A little practical experience
is
> worth hours of dialectic.
>

However, it is also proved that gap losses are reduced when the distance
between the conductors are reduced. To be able to do that without using a
lot of serial static gaps you can only increase pressure instead off
decrease....

Ruud de Graaf