The Precise Measurement of Output Potentials in a Tesla Type Air Core Resonant Transformer System

(continued)

Sparkgap Arcing Distances for Resonance Transformers

Special Conditions

1. Mode is pulsed D.C. oscillations as described in the article.
2. Transient voltage reversal must be 80% or greater. Dampened oscillations produced by resonance transformer systems with a secondary coil quality “Q” factor of 20 or greater meet these specifications. It must be noted this Q factor is the operating Q factor which is much lower than the calculated factor of
   
3. Transient rise time to E_max must occur in 10 seconds or less.
4. Both discharge electrode and grounded electrode must have a minimum diameter of 10 cm or greater (4" minimum diameter).
5. These measurements are accurate for energy levels of 50 Joules or less (calculated from 1/2 cv²).

About the Author

Durlin C. Cox is a native of Baraboo, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison) where he received his B.S. in Physics. Durlin specialized in high voltage engineering as it applies to Nuclear Physics.

Mr. Cox has always had a special interest in Tesla coils since his high school days. And after years of research and experimenting, he has formed the Resonance Research Corporation. The organization specializes in designing and constructing high potential resonant transformer systems for industrial testing and also for science museums which use them for display applications.

Durlin has also worked as a consultant in establishing theater-of-science presentations for various science and industrial museums. His current work involves the use of ignitron switching devices to replace rotary spark gaps in resonant transformer systems.

When not involved in laboratory work, he enjoys skiing, karate, billiards, and photography.