Re: cockcroft

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-qwest-dot-net>" <Pyrotrons-at-aol-dot-com>

Hi John and All...

John, the device you are probably referring to is a Cockcroft-Walton voltage 
multiplier.

Basically, the device charges up a number of capacitors in parallel, and 
allows these capacitors to discharge in series. The mechanism responsible for 
this feat are simple diodes (rectifiers). There are 2 kinds of components in 
this device: capacitors and diodes, it is all relatively simple. (you really 
have to insulate the extremely high voltage ones, though).

Very high output voltages can be obtained by "stacking" more multiplier 
stages upon other stages. The output of a "CWVM" is always direct current.

Email me off-list if you have any questions/comments. Take care!

Justin Hays
KC5PNP
G-1 #1150 (yeah I'm a geek now!)
Email: pyrotrons-at-aol-dot-com
Website: www.hvguy-dot-com