Re: Double Throw Spark Gap (fwd)

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:48:09 -0500
From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Double Throw Spark Gap (fwd)

Tesla list wrote:
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:15:15 -0500
> From: Crispy <crispy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Tesla list <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Double Throw Spark Gap (fwd)
> 
> Ah, well, when I was talking about the remaining ion trails, I was
> talking about the static gap.  But yes, you're right about them not
> playing much of a role in the rotary gap.
> 

Hi Chris,

As long as heated air (left over from the previous spark) remains in the 
gap, its lower density will reduce its breakdown voltage. Full 
dielectric recovery for air at normal density takes 10's to 1000's of 
milliseconds depending on previous arc current and whether the cathode 
electrode was previously incandescent. You should be able to increase 
the odds of retriggering by using tungsten for the cathode electrode and 
sharpening it to a point, or using arc carbons for your static gap 
electrodes.

Bert
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