[TCML] Safely Grounding a Tesla Coil

[Brandon Hendershot]

I can't find any info on how an antenna can ground something. Can you  
provide a link or attempt to explain it in detail for me?

On Feb 6, 2010, at 12:24 PM, "Tim Wenzel" <cuba_pete at cox.net> wrote:

> Pick up a little info on antenna systems, more specifically 1/4 wave  
> and half wave antennas.  This is a highly efficient ground setup,  
> but takes some area for proper operation.  Probably more effective  
> than a single ground rod for high frequency coil operation.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brandon Hendershot" <brandonhendershot at gmail.com 
> >
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla at pupman.com>
> Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 12:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [TCML] Safely Grounding a Tesla Coil
>
>
>> Hi Jim,
>>
>> Could you explain the concept of "counterpoise" for me or provide  
>> a  link to some documentation? I've never heard of anything like  
>> it...
>>
>> Thanks btw,
>> Brandon
>>
>> On Feb 5, 2010, at 9:39 PM, jimlux <jimlux at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Brandon Hendershot wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> I know that it's said that you need an entirely seperate ground  
>>>> rod when opperating tesla coils because the high voltage  
>>>> grounding  through the house wiring is extremely dangerous to  
>>>> anything plugged  into any other grounded outlet on the same  
>>>> circuit.
>>>
>>>
>>> Not precisely..
>>> You need a separate RF return for the coil, be it a counterpoise,   
>>> good grounding system, etc.
>>> The reason you don't want it interconnected too well with the  
>>> "house ground" is that it will propagate HV transients into your  
>>> house  wiring system (by capacitive and inductive coupling)..  
>>> those  transients wreak havoc on most consumer electronics.
>>>
>>> I wouldn't say "extremely dangerous".. I'd reserve that for   
>>> something like juggling chain saws.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> But what if you attached the coils
>>>> ground wire directly to the ground rod. It would be bypassing  
>>>> the  house wiring, so the high voltage won't be running by any  
>>>> precious electronics inside the house. It shouldn't be running  
>>>> back up into  the house right?
>>>
>>> Exactly.. But there is a problem because at some point, you need  
>>> to  bond to the "green wire ground" at least for things that are  
>>> plugged  in or that you might touch (e.g. equipment cases).
>>>
>>>> I'm trying to be minimalistic so I don't have to try to pound  
>>>> down  a ground rod of my own.
>>>
>>> Think counterpoise.. a big conductive sheet.. chicken wire works   
>>> well. A circle that has radius = the height of the top load above  
>>> it.
>>>
>>>
>>> Hook that to the bottom of your secondary.
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>>
>
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