[TCML] Re: Spark gap Resistance

[David Rieben]

Hi Bart,

Most of this theory discussion is a bit above my head but I would have to
agree that consuming as much energy as possible in the output streamers
is the overall best approach to getting as close to first notch quenching as
practical. I think most of us are after the biggest sparks and don't really
care whether quenching occurs in the first notch or the fourth notch so
long as it occurs within a reasonble time frame that prevents the develop-
ment of a power arc in the SG.

David

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barton B. Anderson" <bartb at classictesla.com>
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla at pupman.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: [TCML] Re: Spark gap Resistance


> Hi John,
>
> It's a theory. I see this similar to drawing an arc vs initiating an arc. 
> The only problem in reproducing the phenomenon is the reduced energy in 
> the time frame allowed. Thus, hard to prove. It's similar to a high energy 
> thermal channel in the spark gap.
>
> However, just because one coil may not be as well adapted to dissipating 
> sparks at the 1st notch doesn't mean another coil can't. I think for the 
> typical garage coil, 1st notch quenching is rarely obtainable due to both 
> secondary and spark gap. But, I think it can be achieved with good results 
> if one goes to lengths. Trying to force it or trap it in the secondary is 
> a little silly to me. Well, as long nothing dies, there may be some 
> benefit.
>
> There is an undeniable truth: If the secondary can release the energy, 
> there is nothing to continue the gap and it will quench. The question is 
> what mechanisms prevent the secondary from dissipating all the energy in a 
> single ring up? A lot of different things and not all we can control or 
> change.
>
> The gap I see as simply a loss. Higher energy should be lower gap losses, 
> increased conductivity, and higher temperatures. If there is energy 
> remaining in the secondary to travel back across, it will and more easily 
> at higher energy. Getting rid of the energy in the first place seems to me 
> to the hidden key to all of this.
>
> Take care,
> Bart
>
> FutureT at aol.com wrote:
>>  In a message dated 11/20/2007 9:38:15 P.M. US Eastern Standard Time, 
>> bartb at classictesla.com writes:
>>
>> If the  energy is quenched by the 1st primary notch, there is only a 
>> single ring  up "time" for the spark channel itself. If we quench on the 
>> 2nd primary  notch, the "time" of the secondary sparks are controlled by 
>> the ring up  time between each spark and the energy bussed to the 
>> developed spark  channels. It's not difficult to see that faster quench 
>> times may not  always be preferred.
>>
>> In second notch quenching, the secondary has rung  up twice and produced 
>> a spark in each ring up and likely in the same  channel as it is hot and 
>> ionized by the first ring up event. I expect the  channel to be more 
>> conductive and possibly allow a little longer  protrusion on the second 
>> ring up event.
>>
>>
>>