Re: [TCML] Safely Grounding a Tesla Coil

[jimlux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brandon Hendershot wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I know that it's said that you need an entirely seperate ground rod when 
> opperating tesla coils because the high voltage grounding through the 
> house wiring is extremely dangerous to anything plugged into any other 
> grounded outlet on the same circuit.


Not precisely..
You need a separate RF return for the coil, be it a counterpoise, good 
grounding system, etc.
The reason you don't want it interconnected too well with the "house 
ground" is that it will propagate HV transients into your house wiring 
system (by capacitive and inductive coupling).. those transients wreak 
havoc on most consumer electronics.

I wouldn't say "extremely dangerous".. I'd reserve that for something 
like juggling chain saws.



 But what if you attached the coils
> ground wire directly to the ground rod. It would be bypassing the house 
> wiring, so the high voltage won't be running by any precious electronics 
> inside the house. It shouldn't be running back up into the house right?

Exactly.. But there is a problem because at some point, you need to bond 
to the "green wire ground" at least for things that are plugged in or 
that you might touch (e.g. equipment cases).

> I'm trying to be minimalistic so I don't have to try to pound down a 
> ground rod of my own.

Think counterpoise.. a big conductive sheet.. chicken wire works well. A 
circle that has radius = the height of the top load above it.


Hook that to the bottom of your secondary.
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