Re: Strange problem

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

Original poster: "davep by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" <davep-at-quik-dot-com>

Tesla list wrote:
> Original poster: "Luc by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>" 
<ludev-at-videotron.ca>
 
> Hi Bob
 
> You could induce an arc between 2 wires at distance, that will cause a
> short if you have 110V or 220V between these wires. In some welding
> machine Mfr. use a small tesla to superimpose a high voltage high
> frequency current on the low voltage welding current.  That help to
>stabilize the arc and to initiated an arc without the need of
> scratch the metal with the electrode you just need to approach the
> electrode and an arc start.

	(I always liked the maintanance note I found in the manual\
	of such a one:

		RF Generator Maintanance:
		Do Not Attempot to file the points.
		They are Tungsten, and harder than your file.)
 
> P.S. Be careful if an arc start inside a wall you are in trouble.

	Indeed, possible.
	Another possibility:
	Is the breaker that trips, by any chance, fitted with a
	'GFI' (Ground Fault Interupter) or similar device?
	Sometimes one such breaker is rpesent in a panel, for, eg, a
	bathroom, etc.

	GFI Units have more or less gain, to rip the breaker on SMALL
	differences in current.  (Thats a short hand description...)
	The gain means they are vulnerable to income EMI/RFI...

> Tesla list wrote:
> 
> > Original poster: "by way of Terry Fritz <twftesla-at-uswest-dot-net>"
> <CoilerBob-at-aol-dot-com>
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > I am new to this group and was told that you might be able to help me.  I
> > have built a moderate sized Tesla coil (sparks about 24 inches long)
and have
> > run into a strange problem.  I turned on the coil and it threw a circuit
> > breaker.  The problem is that the breaker is not for the circuit that the
> > Tesla coil is on.  The coil continued to operate after the breaker
opened.  I
> > can see how the device could draw enough power to pop the breaker for the
> > circuit it is using, but can't figure out how it could have an impact on
> > another circuit.  I know that the coil can light a fluorescent bulb at a
> > distance, but I did not think that a Tesla coil could broadcast enough
power
> > to overload a breaker.  I am afraid to turn the coil back on until I
find out
> > what the problem is.  Is this a common occurance?  Or is there
something very
> > strange and very wrong with my wiring?  Any help or suggestions would be
> > greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Bob

	best
	dwp