RE: [TCML] tcs as musical instruments...

["Henry" <dr.hankenstein@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jim,

First of all, if you're going to do any work with Tesla coils, particularly
high powered ones, I cannot stress the importance of understanding a
phenomenon known as "Step Potential". Ignoring this concept can and will
cause serious burns and death. I know of two colleagues working in EHV
(Extra High Voltage <500kv>) switch yards who are no longer with us because
they didn't (or weren't aware) of this danger. By the way, both fatalities
occurred on line that were de-energized. This phenomenon is also known as
induction. 

The shark suit worn by those performing high voltage shows acts like a
faraday cage causing the voltage drop within the suit to be near zero.

There is no way anyone wearing one of these suits can possibly play a guitar
and fret the notes properly. That being said, what you are seeing is a
"Nilli Manilli" impersonation....the music is really a recording. Pick up a
guitar sometime and try it; then throw on a pair of gardening gloves and see
how well you do.

Do not take what you see for granted, or you might be sorry. I cannot stress
safety enough. 

Let me give you an example: 

When I play my guitar through the coil, the guitar is grounded, as is all my
equipment. I am obviously touching the guitar strings, which are also
grounded through the amp. If I get too close to the coil (usually less than
six feet on smaller coils), I get knocked on my ass due to "Step Charge".
When the coil is operating, my body is somewhere between the coils full
potential and ground....not a good situation, indeed! Notice that the
coil(s) are always at a distance from the performer.

Please study and understand this; We want you around for the next
performance. There is a right and wrong way to do things...we just make the
right way look real easy sometimes.

Hope this info gives you some insight.

Be safe,

Hank 

-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Jim Lux
Sent: Sunday, April 01, 2012 5:59 PM
To: tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [TCML] tcs as musical instruments...

On 4/1/12 4:35 PM, Henry wrote:
> Thanks, Bart
>
> I'm not sure what Arc Attack does, but it seems crazy that playing a real
> guitar through a chain mail suit would be nothing short of impossible
and/or
> deadly. You would certainly be electrocuted if your skin were to come into
> contact with the frets while being blasted by a bolt of lightning.


Maybe the Arc Attack guys (or their designers) can chip in here..

But if you had a wireless pickup, the guitar can be at the same 
potential as you.  I do think there is some trick to how you deal with 
your fingers on the fretboard.  I'm not a guitar player, but somehow, it 
seems that even thin conductive gloves would get in the way.  Maybe not..
Making the guitar itself conductive is straightforward (copper foil tape 
if nothing else).


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