Re: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues

["McCauley, Daniel H" <daniel.h.mccauley@xxxxxxxx>]

The issue is that these are "wire", not battery operated smoke detectors, so the wiring through the townhome simply is acting as an antenna and picking up all kinds of noise which is triggering them.  

Dan



-----Original Message-----
From: tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tesla-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of dave pierson
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 11:08 AM
To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
Subject: EXTERNAL: Re: [TCML] Smoke Detector Issues

 
> The "ionized air" scenario doesn't explain how the coil is triggering 
> smoke detectors in adjacent townhomes.
     Just so.  but stray emf/rfi/electronic noise will do just
     fine to triger them, even thru whood/plaster walls.

     best
      dwp

>> If it is a smoke detector that looks for ionised particles, Tesla 
>> coils will set them off..  Its does exactly what it should when 
>> presented with a large TC generated cloud of ionised particles.

      detecting the ions means higain amplifies, which are
      annoyed by RF Noise (as above).

>> I haven't found a cure for this other than wrapping them in tin foil 
>> whilst the coil is in use. Of course the tin foil could be protecting 
>> the electronics from EMF.. All I can say is it works.
      I go with cause B.

> >> I have been having a problem with my smoke detectors going off 
> >> every time I run my SGTC or VTTC.  I am assuming it is EMI/RFI
>>> that is causing it.
     Certainly possible.  (I used to do EMI/RFI for a living...)

>>>  It would not be so bad, except that I live in a townhome and  it 
>>>tends to set the smoke detectors off at my neighbors place  as well.
     as above: emi/rfi

>>>  Has anyone ever dealt with this before?  Anyone have any clue  what 
>>>I could do to prevent it?
      pull batteries, coil in Faraday cage, etc.

> >> I wouldn't want to have to chose between moving and coiling!
     Some hobbies are 'special'.  eg: pyrotechnics, etc.

> > What are your sparks arcing to, and what is the return path for the 
> > current to the coil?  You might be inadvertently setting up a good 
> > "transmitter" with a big loop.

> > What I would NOT do is try to engage in a EMI filtering campaign 
> > with the detectors.   You might, though want to see if you can get 
> > one of the detectors (same brand and model) and hook it up as a test 
> > fixture.

> > You want to know whether the EMI is getting into the detectors via 
> > conduction (e.g. power lines from your coil) or radiation (the power 
> > lines for the detectors are acting as antennas).
      Usual deteector runs off batteries...

> > if it's the former, then adding filtering on your power supply might 
> > help.

> > If it's the latter, making sure you're not radiating (return path 
> > for sparks, etc.  Maybe a faraday cage, but I'm not sure that is 
> > practical or will work well in your situation.
      agreed.

   best
    dwp
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