[TCML] Capacitor encapsulent

[Bert Hickman]

Raymond Magdziarz wrote:
> I'm building my capacitor using window glass and brass sheets. I plan on
> using paraffin instead of transformer oil. I would draw a vacuum on the
> container while the paraffin is liquid to get the bubbles out and then let
> it solidify. Will this work, or what problems will I have.
> 
> Ray M.
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> Tesla at www.pupman.com
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Hi Raymond,

If you are using glass as your dielectric, you'll likely encounter 
significant heating, since most glass is fairly lossy when used in Tesla 
Coil (RF) use. This heating will soften and melt nearby paraffin. When 
it cools, the paraffin will shrink, introducing air gaps. These gaps 
will allow corona to form, eventually leading to degradation, tracking, 
and eventual failure of your capacitor. Any hot spots in the dielectric 
become increasingly electrically conductive, which can also lead to 
localized thermal runaway, punch through, and shorting of the 
dielectric. Since glass plate capacitors tend to have limited life when 
used in Tesla Coils (especially when operated for extended periods at 
higher voltages), low loss polypropylene capacitors have pretty much 
replaced them.

Bert

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