Re: Tiny Spark Gaps? (fwd)

[<sroys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 10:52:02 -0700
From: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: High Voltage list <hvlist@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Tiny Spark Gaps? (fwd)


>Throughout the charging systems of a very high voltage capacitive
>discharge system, we are finding small devices that appear to be tiny
>spark gaps in cylindrical glass cases.  ~1cm x 1cm clear tube with metal
>end caps and axial leads, interior surface of end caps is strongly
>convex.
>
>Are these things what they seem?  Would they be useful in transformer
>protection circuits?
>
>
>Carl Litton
>Hilton Hotels Corporation
>901-374-5747
>
>[Barry...?  This sounds like a question for you... SRR]



ALmost certainly little vacuum spark gaps for over voltage protection.  You 
see them a lot in voltage divider circuits to protect in case a resistor 
goes "open" or a ground wire breaks.