Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:43:29 -0700
From: Barton B. Anderson <bartb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Tesla Coil Firehazards (fwd)

Hi Chris,

In most cases not, but we should always be prepared for situations we 
didn't think of. The environment your running in plays a big role in 
that. It's not always the coils or strikes, but the other stupid things 
we do. I've kept a fire extinguisher on hand in the event something goes 
wrong. I've had it for many years.

Two weeks ago I went to fix an NST which I potted with paraffin wax 
previously. I thought I would just throw it on the stove burner in the 
kitchen over a metal tray. I turned the dumb thing on high and let it 
heat. I checked on it at about 15 minutes (all was good). I then walked 
into the garage and 5 minutes later my daughter popped here head out of 
the door and said "Dad, the kitchen's on fire". I grabbed the fire 
extinguisher pulling the pin along the way, saw the 4 foot flames, aimed 
the hose, and squeezed the trigger. Nothing! It was completely dead. DOH!!!!

Well, I got the fire out and cleaned the mess. I then called my wife 
(who was at work) and confessed to my stupidity (I find it very 
important to fess up to my dumb antics early on, especially when my wife 
is to far away to throw something at me). So, make sure that fire 
extinguisher is always charged! You never know what dumb things you may do.

Take care,
Bart

Tesla list wrote:

>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:33:05 -0400
>From: Crispy <crispy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Tesla Coil Firehazards
>
>Hello,
>
>I was wondering how significant the firehazards relating to Tesla coils
>are.  The spark gap will generate a large amount of heat for sure, but
>how dangerous are the secondary streamers on, say, a 1kW coil?  Could
>they easily ignite materials such as wood or paper with a single strike?
>
>Thanks,
>Chris
>
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