Various Tesla book cover images

Nikola Tesla Books

Books written by or about Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla: Colorado Springs Notes, 1899-1900 Page 197

September 27-28, 1899

$! {L = {{\sqrt{6.483^{2} - 1.054^{2}}} \over 880} = {6.4 \over 880} =} $! 0.00728 H or 7,280,000 cm.

Second measurement average of readings:

I = 6.77   E = 43.25   R = 1.054   ω = 880

E = 6.39   from this L = 0.00716 H or 7,160,000 cm.

This variation probably due to change in ω and it is probably safest to take average

{0.007160.00728} or 0.00722 H7,220,000 cm.} as best
values.

The calculated value from above dimensions is:

$! {L = {{4 \pi N^{2} S} \over l} = {{4 \pi \times 25,600 \times 2919} \over 107.95}} $! 8,700,000 cm. or 0.0087 henry

N2 = 25,600

$! {S = {{\pi \over 4} 60.96^{2}} =} $! 2919 cm. sq.

The difference must be due to the internal capacity of the coil or possibly inexactness of the dimensions above.

Colorado Springs

Sept. 28, 1899

One of the difficulties in telegraphy and a drawback in practical introduction is the elevated terminal of capacity as proposed by me. It is difficult to elevate a structure to the desired height and keep the same insulated from the ground and with very powerful vibrations, as here produced even an insulated wire leading up offers difficulties because of streamers which reduce the force and the effect at a distance.

I propose to overcome this by the following plan. A structure is to be elevated from the ground up to the desired height and an insulated wire from the oscillator is to be brought

197

September 27

True to the principle that measurements should be checked by calculation, Tesla calculates the inductance of the same coil using the formula for a coil of infinite length, but does not obtain agreement. Since distributed capacitance increases the effective inductance at frequencies below the natural resonance of the coil, the second possible reason which he mentions (inexactness of the coil dimensions) could have some influence, but the main reason is the poor approximation provided by the formula when applied to a coil with this length: diameter ratio.


September 27

He measures the auxiliary coil inductance by the same method he applied on Sept. 25, except now he takes into account the coil resistance as well (measured probably by DC current so that skirt effect was not taken into account). By following the principle that measured values have to be proven by calculation, he calculates the inductances of the same coil by means of the equation for a long coil and he does not get the expected results. In a short review of not expected results he mentioned the possibility that the distributed coil capacitance influenced the measured value. But this is difficult to believe because the distributed capacitances increase the effective inductance in frequency range below the coil self resonant frequency. Another possibility remains which Tesla mentions (the non-accuracy of coil dimensions) and low accuracy of the theoretical equation which is approximate and the ratio of the coil's length to its diameter which is very high.


September 28

The circuit diagrams are of great interest because they illustrate a new approach to feeding the antenna (now known as shunt feed(73) which obviates the problem of insulating the aerial pole. Unfortunately the explanations Tesla gives are too cryptic to be fully comprehensible. The figures do not clearly show whether the lower terminal of the antenna is grounded or insulated. Tesla’s conclusions that a standing wave is set up along the antenna and that the distance between points of equal potential is half a wavelength are correct.

The frequencies he was using were not high enough for his antennas to work in the manner shown by the figures (in which case they would be much more efficient radiators than he usually had), so that this contribution to the theory of wire antennas was never properly formulated.


September 28

Tesla displays new ideas about aerial excitation. The shown schemes are very interesting because they show a new approach to the problem of feeding the aerial (it is known today as shunt feed) by which the problem of the aerial support insulation is eliminated. Tesla's idea was that by such aerial feeding he would avoid discharge when supplying energy to the aerial. Unfortunately, the given explanations are not suficient in order to provide a clear understanding. On the figures it is not clearly designated whether the lower aerial terminal is grounded or isolated. The conclusions that the standing wave is created along the aerial and that location of the same potentials are at the distance of half a wavelength are correct. It appears that Tesla did not take into account the aerial reduction due to final capacitance when considering the events on the aerial. Remarks could be made on the chosen aerial length as well as the voltage distribution (or current?) along the aerial. Unfortunately Tesla did not apply high enough frequencies in order to get the aerials to operate under conditions as shown on the indicated figures, and so this contribution in an area of wire remains unfinished.

Glossary

Lowercase tau - an irrational constant defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its radius, equal to the radian measure of a full turn; approximately 6.283185307 (equal to 2π, or twice the value of π).
A natural rubber material obtained from Palaquium trees, native to South-east Asia. Gutta-percha made possible practical submarine telegraph cables because it was both waterproof and resistant to seawater as well as being thermoplastic. Gutta-percha's use as an electrical insulator was first suggested by Michael Faraday.
The Habirshaw Electric Cable Company, founded in 1886 by William M. Habirshaw in New York City, New York.
The Brown & Sharpe (B & S) Gauge, also known as the American Wire Gauge (AWG), is the American standard for making/ordering metal sheet and wire sizes.
A traditional general-purpose dry cell battery. Invented by the French engineer Georges Leclanché in 1866.
Refers to Manitou Springs, a small town just six miles west of Colorado Springs, and during Tesla's time there, producer of world-renown bottled water from its natural springs.
A French mineral water bottler.
Lowercase delta letter - used to denote: A change in the value of a variable in calculus. A functional derivative in functional calculus. An auxiliary function in calculus, used to rigorously define the limit or continuity of a given function.
America's oldest existing independent manufacturer of wire and cable, founded in 1878.
Lowercase lambda letter which, in physics and engineering, normally represents wavelength.
The lowercase omega letter, which represents angular velocity in physics.