High Frequency Apparatus Page 203

Transformer Oscillation THE CONSTRUCTION OF LARGE APPARATUS Condenser Gap Transformer Ground HHE 203 Line Line Fig. 15.-Diagram of connections for the apparatus The either direction as required to establish resonance. main switch may next be closed and the ball discharger at the top of the oscillation transformer should send forth long streamers of fire with a terrific crackling noise. An adjustment of the clip on the primary from one turn to another, and a variation in the length of the spark gap, will soon enable the operator to obtain resonance. This point is indicated by the longest streamers. At its maximum efficiency, the coil will send forth a spark that will dart a distance of more than five feet to a wire attached to the ground and brought near the discharge terminal. A strange feature of this experiment is the fact that the secondary cylinder is but 50 inches high and, rather than dart downwards, striking the primary of the coil, the spark will break down a far greater distance in a horizontal plane and still farther if the ground connection is placed overhead. This is a peculiarity of high frequency discharges.