Re: [TCML] Jacob's ladder plasma "Rope"

[drieben@xxxxxxxxxxx (David Rieben)]

Hi Bert,

Alright, it sounds like someone else has witnessed 
and figured out what I'm trying to describe.;^) It does 
seem that it does happen more often when I first fire it 
off but I have noted it happen randomly after the JL has 
already been running, albeit a rare occurance. I do agree
that the arc is usually more stable during the first one or
two arc ascensions than from then on, though. Of course,
mine is being driven by a subsequently ballasted 150
kVp, 600 mA rated x-ray high voltage generator
transformer with the internal diodes removed for
AC output and I typically run it at well over 10 kVA
and have surpassed 20 kVA for short spurts. The
ballasting is provided by that big Toshiba isolation
transformer that I previously mentioned in my response
to Garry regarding the "Disassembling a huge transformer" 
thread. Maybe, my extra available power and voltage also 
helps to bring out this effect SOMEWHAT more easily?

--
David Rieben

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Bert Hickman <bert.hickman@xxxxxxxxxx> 

> Hi Dave, 
> 
> I've seen that on my JL when driven from a pair of 15/60's. The ladder 
> is inside a box with a Plexiglas front. However, the only time it occurs 
> the FIRST time the arc climbs to the top. After that, there is 
> apparently some slight turbulence left over in the air space from the 
> previous arc that causes uneven climbing and writhing on subsequent arcs. 
> 
> Bert 
> 
> David Rieben wrote: 
> > Hi Chris, 
> > 
> > Those are indeed some examples of huge, albeit unintentional 
> > JLs, mainly due to circuit faults in power transmission lines 
> > but no, those are still pretty much regular shimmering, rag- 
> > ged power arcs, though at a much larger scael than most of 
> > us could ever duplicate in our personal high voltage labs ;^) 
> > The phenomenon that I am referring to is that the arc suddenly 
> > begins to take on a very smooth rope-like appearance with 
> > little or no "shimmering" effect. It will often flair out hori- 
> > zontally (not just the typical vertical thermal rise) from the 
> > rails, in an almost horseshoe shape. It may strech out further 
> > past the ends of the rails before breaking than it would nor- 
> > mally at the given power level. Try to imagine how stable the 
> > plasma is inside of an energized neon tube and that's almost 
> > how shimmer free and stable the climbing JL arc appears dur- 
> > ing this relatively rare occurance. Think a smooth, gently curving 
> > rope, not a zig-zag snake. Of course, this would never occur 
> > in the presence of any significant air currents so I'm figuring 
> > that it may be easier to get this effect with the rails enclosed 
> > inside a transparent tube enclosure. 
> > -- 
> > David Rieben 
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