A WARNING to all working with PLASMA

[fzzzy]

If you use DC , you need to pulse it, else the electrode will become so hot it will break and the glass tube too. The tube are rated for 100w but not a constant 100w.

Best Regards,
EgmQC

Yes, that's what the capacitor is for, charge the capacitor to the gas ionization potential, discharge, repeat. Right?

[EgmQC]

Yes, that's what the capacitor is for, charge the capacitor to the gas ionization potential, discharge, repeat. Right?

Not necessarily , if your supply is 5kv DC, the capacitor will remain at 5kv DC. The capacitor will act as a buffer for your dc supply.

[fzzzy]

Not necessarily , if your supply is 5kv DC, the capacitor will remain at 5kv DC. The capacitor will act as a buffer for your dc supply.

Thanks. I'm not going to build a circuit with this until I know what I am doing.

[fzzzy]

From tesla patent 462,418

NIKOLA TESLA - Google Patent Search

Page 2 line 58

"Each time the condenser F is charged to such an extent that the potential or accumulated charge overcomes the dielectric strength of the insulating-space at D the condenser is discharged. It is then recharged from generator A and this process is repeated in more or less rapid succession."

The generator voltage has to be less than the ionization potential of the spark gap. Then the circuit parameters need tuning to set the frequency of the impulse current generated on the other side of the spark gap.

That's what I meant. I never said the voltage of the supply should be greater than the gap ionization potential.

[EgmQC]

From tesla patent 462,418

NIKOLA TESLA - Google Patent Search

Page 2 line 58

"Each time the condenser F is charged to such an extent that the potential or accumulated charge overcomes the dielectric strength of the insulating-space at D the condenser is discharged. It is then recharged from generator A and this process is repeated in more or less rapid succession."

The generator voltage has to be less than the ionization potential of the spark gap. Then the circuit parameters need tuning to set the frequency of the impulse current generated on the other side of the spark gap.

That's what I meant. I never said the voltage of the supply should be greater than the gap ionization potential.

If i was you , ill not touch anything who use HV until you learn a bit more in electronic. In the patent the Capacitor "F" is parallel to the voltage source so that mean the capacitor act as a buffer, if you don't want it to act as a buffer you need a RC network to control the charge time constant but you will need a higher voltage if using this method to compensate for the voltage drop across the resistor in the RC network. Transmission line "B" in the patent will always remain at the same exact voltage as the generator voltage , same with capacitor "F" since its in parallel with the generator. If you use DC as input , there NO voltage change in the part "B" of the transmission line , the voltage is constant.Build the circuit if you want, put a shunt of really low value, like 0.01 Ohm and hook your oscilloscope on it, you will see by yourself if the capacitor "F" discharge.

A analogy can be made for the same exact same circuit but using a mosfet instead of a spark gap.Suppose the input source is 12v, capacitor "F" is in parallel with the source, the load is a 12v Light Bulb on the output side.When the mosfet if closed , the light bulb dont light, capacitor voltage is at 12v. When the mosfet open, the light bulb light , now whats the voltage across the capacitor ? 12v.

Best Regards,
EgmQC

[fzzzy]

Thanks for the help. I'm definitely not going to touch hv until I understand more.

Also thanks for suggesting the experiment with the mosfet, I will try it out.

I noticed while I was reading the patent again that tesla said ac or dc could be used. So I think i was mistaken believing I needed a dc power source.