Re: Sparklength inquiry

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Sparklength inquiry
From: "Barton B. Anderson" <mopar-at-uswest-dot-net> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 22:56:09 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

Tesla List wrote:
> 
> Original Poster: "Malcolm Watts" <MALCOLM-at-directorate.wnp.ac.nz>
> 
> Hi Bart,
> 
> > Original Poster: "Barton B. Anderson" <mopar-at-uswest-dot-net>
> >
> > Greg, John -
> > My appologies. I did screw up the equation when I first
> > posted as I did with the Vs equations. Must of been a
> > bad typing night. John, I usually represent your
> > equation in my spreadsheets as sparklength =
> > (Vs*1000/65)^1.43 = (KVs/65)^1.43. I apparently hit the
> > / instead of *. Sorry.
> >
> > As you stated, this is purely emperical and probably the
> > best out there I know of. You also stated it can be
> > related to breaks and power, however, I'm getting some
> > wild numbers way out there using both equations. I
> > assume there's a step or two missing to calculate
> > sparklength?
> 
> Running through that formula suggests to me that it is a passable
> indicator of sshot lengths only. Invalid for repetitive operation.
> 
> Malcolm
> <snip>

Yes, your right. This is how I interpret John's formula
(controlled sparks) as I think it is intended and
nothing more. Thanks for pointing this out as I did not.

Also, I have been playing again with equations
(dangerous, I know). I have found that using the
equation

P = .5*Cs*Vs^2*bps

and then using P / Vs * (BPS^2) gives values similar to
sparkgrowth. Of course there is no direct path to
sparklength and inches or centimeters as it's a current
equation, but it is interesting how the product of this
equation does simulate spark growth. I have tried it at
high breakrates (400 to 800) and the product isn't way
out in no-man's land, actually it's probably under what
is really achieved. I'm going to run some of John and
Greg's numbers tonight and see how this sparkgrowth
equation corresponds to their posted power tables. If
you try the simple equation, you'll see what I'm talking
about. I know it may mean nothing, but it interesting to
contemplate the significance sparkgrowth and try to
reason it out (of which I haven't done yet).

Bart