Spark Gaps

• To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
• Subject: Spark Gaps
• From: Tesla List <tesla-at-stic-dot-net>
• Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 09:26:30 -0500
• Approved: tesla-at-stic-dot-net

----------
From:  Malcolm Watts [SMTP:MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz]
Sent:  Tuesday, April 14, 1998 4:25 PM
To:  Tesla List
Subject:  Re: Spark Gaps

Hi Jim,

> From:  Jim Lux [SMTP:jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net]
> Sent:  Wednesday, April 08, 1998 10:55 AM
> To:  Tesla List
> Subject:  Re: Spark Gaps
> 
<snip>

> 3) Faster interruption of the spark. As opposed to just waiting for the
> current to go through a zero, the gap is physically separated. The sudden
> circuit opening causes the voltage across the primary inductor to rise,
> inducing a similar rise in the secondary. The faster the interruption
> (di/dt) the more the rise.

I would like to see some proof that you can actually do that. It is 
hard enough putting a gap out if energy is still residing in the 
secondary and moving back into the primary. There is clear evidence 
from Electrum's waveforms that Greg's gap can't manage it on a 
primary current null with less than 10% of the original energy still 
in the secondary. After a number of radical experiments, I have 
basically given up on trying to quench the gap in this fashion, let 
alone trying to interrupt an arc in progress. You are absolutely 
right about di/dt - in fact this is what makes the exercise 
impossbile.

Malcolm

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