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Re: Tesla Coil toroid Size
I think this should be subject to amendment:
> Original Poster: "John H. Couture" <couturejh-at-worldnet.att-dot-net>
>
>
> Terry, Bart, All -
>
> I agree that measuring the TC input energy (power x time) would be
> difficult. However, this test can be greatly simplified if a constant load
> is used (controlled sparks). The advantage of a constant load in testing
> any electrical apparatus is that the input conditions can be easily
> correlated with the output conditions. The reason is because instantaneous
> time does not have to be considered. Both the input and the output
> waveforms are automatically averaged out. The overall losses are also
> averaged out.
>
> If the test conditions are properly set up the power factor will be close
> to 100 percent. The constant load (sparks) will be mostly resistive.
>
> For example if the input is 960 watts and the bks are 120 and the sparks
> are 2 feet long then the TC is producing 8 watts per break (including
> losses) and four watts per foot of spark.
By that logic, one can produce a 100 foot spark using 1W. In fact the
TC is discharging 8 *Joules* per break. The low duty cycle turns that
energy in the attendant period of time into kW if not MW pulses.
Malcolm
> The effect of an existing
> conductive path in the air and some other considerations like Vp and Ls,
> etc, come into play, but this would at least be a start. This could then be
> compared with the JHCTES computer program which is a watts to controlled
> spark program.
> JHC
> --------------------------------
>
> At 06:16 PM 9/14/98 -0600, you wrote:
> >Original Poster: Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>
> >
> >Hi Bart, All,
> >
> > I have never measured the input power of my neon power system (lazy)
but I
> >certainly do have the equipment to see what's there. I suspect that there
> >are high current pulses and all kinds of power factor variations going on.
> >I notice that the variac vibrates with varying currents during sparking so
> >I suspect the input power is very dynamic. Probably far beyond any simple
> >power meter and perhaps even beyond the abilities of my equipment. What is
> >needed is to record the current and voltage waveforms over time and them
> >multiply them piece by piece to come up with a third power waveform over
> >time. Then one would have to average that waveform to come up with the
> >average power. However, that number may not mean much. The real
> >information is probably in the dynamic power vs. time waveform.
> >Unfortunately, few off us will be able to measure this. And if it is
> >really messy, it won't be too meaningful.
> > The problem with just a voltmeter and an ammeter is that you don't know
> >the phase relationship between the two. In the case of TCs, I bet that
> >phase is wildly jumping all over the place as the output arcs twirl around.
> > I also suspect that ouput arcs start to occur before the first notch
> >quench so the output arcs are dirctly jerking the charging system around.
> > Perhaps I can get some time and give this all a try and post the
waveform
> >data. Sort of high risk equipment wise (laptop + digital scope + TC = ??)
> >but it should be interesting.
> >
> > Terry Fritz
>
>
>
>