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Re: How should we measure coil efficiency, was neon vs. potenti




From: 	FutureT-at-aol-dot-com[SMTP:FutureT-at-aol-dot-com]
Sent: 	Saturday, July 26, 1997 4:29 AM
To: 	tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: 	Re: How should we measure coil efficiency, was neon vs.   potenti

>   Where did you find that higher frequency gives shorter sparks?  I believe
> it is the other way around.  The higher the frequency the longer the spark.
 
>    Energy = hf    h = Planck's constant   f = freq.
 
>    From the above equation the energy increases as the frequency increases,
> other factors being equal. This would mean when the frequency increases the
> spark length increases.

John C,

The above equation completely ignores radiation losses, and  plasma ion
growth effects.  As you said, "other factors being equal", but in a TC other
factors are not equal.  High frequency sparks tend to take on a short
plasma flame-like appearance.

John Freau 
   
>    But frequency is a minor factor. The major cause of air ionization is
the
> voltage and the higher voltages give longer sparks.
 
>    As I have said in past posts, the quality and appearance of sparks is
> subjective for Tesla coil ratings, so these ratings must be viewed from
this
> standpoint. Also, sparks cannot be converted to energy so they cannot be
> used for findung the efficiency of a Tesla coil.
 
     John Couture
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