RE: [TCML] Main ground vs RF ground

["Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau@xxxxxx>]

With any coil, one has the "option" to connect the grounded stuff to either the mains ground through the green 3rd wire, or to an independent RF ground.  The HF return currents will flow to whatever ground you're using.  Having those RF currents flowing through the green-wire ground is a bad idea for many reasons.  The HV transients between the ground and H & N will wreak havoc on any other appliances sharing the same circuit.  If there's nothing else in your house besides light bulbs, grounding to the 3rd wire is probably OK.  If there's TV's, garage door openers, and computers, not so good.

A midpoint-grounded NST case cannot be tied to mains ground while the secondary base goes to an independent RF ground.  It all needs to go to the same grounding place, because the NST case is actually extremely "hot" with RF.  

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf Of chuck
> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 11:48 PM
> To: 'Tesla Coil Mailing List'
> Subject: [TCML] Main ground vs RF ground
> 
> Some coilers say that the NST may be grounded to the mains ground and that
> the secondary of the TC should be grounded to RF ground and emphatically
> declare that the two should never meet. Others say ground is ground and it
> doesn't matter where the unit is grounded as long as it is grounded. The
> famous schematic of the Terry Filters shows the NST and the TC sharing a
> common ground.
> 
> So which is it? Should the Terry Filter schematic be altered? Or not? I hope
> for first lights by Thanksgiving so I need an answer ASAP.
> 
> asimov13647@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Stuck in the (now infamous)
> 23rd NY Congressional district

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