[TCML] flourescent light trick

[Gary Peterson]

>  . . . my recollection is that Tesla described a (hypothetical) 'working' 
> transmission coil as 'surrounded by pale violet glow', NOT the flashy 
> sparks.

A little grist for the mill:

". . . For example, a conductor or terminal, to which impulses such as those 
here considered are supplied, but which is otherwise insulated in space and 
is remote from any conducting-bodies, is surrounded by a luminous flame-like 
brush or discharge often covering many hundreds or even as much as several 
thousands of square feet of surface, this striking phenomenon clearly 
attesting the high degree of conductivity which the atmosphere attains under 
the influence of the immense electrical stresses to which it is subjected. 
This influence is however, not confined to that portion of the atmosphere 
which is discernible by the eye as luminous and which, as has been the case 
in some instances actually observed, may fill the space within a spherical 
or cylindrical envelop of a diameter of sixty feet or more, but reaches out 
to far remote regions, the insulating qualities of the air being, as I have 
ascertained, still sensibly impaired at a distance many hundred times that 
through which the luminous discharge projects from the terminal and in all 
probability much farther.  The distance extends with the increase of the 
electromotive force of the impulses, with the diminution of the density of 
the atmosphere, with the elevation of the active terminal above the ground, 
and also, apparently, in slight measure, with the degree of moisture 
contained in the air.  I have likewise observed that this region of 
decidedly-noticeable influence continuously enlarges as time goes on, and 
the discharge is allowed to pass not unlike a conflagration which slowly 
spreads, this being possibly due to the gradual electrification or 
ionization of the air or to the formation of less insulating gaseous 
compounds. . . ." SYSTEM OF TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, Sept. 2, 
1897, U.S. Patent No. 645,576, Mar. 20, 1900.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Pierson" <davep at quik.com>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla at pupman.com>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 2:52 AM
Subject: Re: [TCML] flourescent light trick

>>that is exactly what I am saying, the part I do not understand is why the 
>>tube all but "shuts off" when I touch it to the ground while using a 
>>breakout point,
>    Different levels of energy available to the lamps.
>    cf as below.
>
>> but if I am not using a breakout point,
>    This increases the available power (roughly speaking....)
>
>> it roughly doubles in brightness (I am always holding the tube in my 
>> hand, one end on the ground)!
>     I believe i concur with Gary's explantion, which matches my 
> understanding
>     of the physics.
>
>     The terminal voltage (which relates to radiated power) is different in 
> each case.
>       With a break outpoint attached, the voltage is lower, due to the 
> load
>       created by the streamer from the breakout point.  This lowering of 
> the
>       terminal voltage reduces the 'radiated' (and also: capacitively 
> coupled)
>       power available to light the lamp.  Additionally, the energy that 
> goes into the
>       breakout point streamer is NOT available to light the lamp.
>
>       With NO breakout point, terminal voltage rises: less (no?) energy is 
> wasted
>       in streamers, more is available for lighting the lamp.
>
>      (As it happens, recently, by coincidence, with my small coil set up 
> for Halloween,
>       i ran sort of the same exercise, got essentially the same result.)
>
>     While it is 'common' to associate Tesla Coils with lotsa flashy 
> sparks,
>     my recollection is that Tesla described a (hypothetical) 'working' 
> transmission
>     coil as 'surrounded by pale violet glow', NOT the flashy sparks.
>
>>> Are you saying that the tube glows brighter if a breakout point is not 
>>> used, and is dimmer if a breakout point is used?  This makes sense, as 
>>> running without a breakout point permits the topload to achieve a higher 
>>> voltage, resulting in a greater E-field.  Neat observation if I 
>>> understand correctly - I've not tried that!
>>
>>> I didn't understand the consequences of grounding vs. hand-holding the 
>>> tube.  Two variables here.
>     best
>      dwp