Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!umich!samsung!munnari.oz.au!bruce!goanna!dnl
From: dnl@goanna.oz.au (David "IGOR" Latter)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Anyone know about arc generators? `ffzzapp'
Summary: tesla coil with jacobs ladder
Message-ID: <2813@goanna.oz.au>
Date: 30 Jan 90 05:17:22 GMT
References: <5237@vax1.tcd.ie>
Organization: Comp Sci, RMIT, Melbourne, Australia
Lines: 41

In article <5237@vax1.tcd.ie>, jfsenior@vax1.tcd.ie (K.) writes:
> OK,
> 
> Sorry to post this here, but rec.arc.generators doesn't seem to exist.
> 
> Can anyone give me DETAILS of how to build an arc generator, such as is seen
> in science fiction film of the 30/40's etc.
> 
> I call it an arc generator, but I expect that is incorrect....
> 
> A reference to a book or magazine article on the subject would also be helpful.
> 
>             This is the sort of thing I mean:-
>                                               o    ^   o
>                                                \  ^ ^ /
>                                                 \^   /
> 						 \  /
>                                                   \/
>                                                 ------
> Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about?
> 
------------------
What you want to know about is called a "Tesla Coil"
It is a simple high voltage, high frequency (well....low rf anyway)
arc generator, sort of a fore-runner to the early arc transmitters.
A simple unit I built a few years ago generated approx 180 KV and was
30x30x45 cm and operated off 6V dc  using an induction coil.
I would suggest you find a book on Nikola Tesla.
The other device is known as "jacobs ladder" which when used with a
high voltage source such as a tesla coil, is rather fun to play with...
It is just two thick upright wires shaped as:   \     /
                                                 \   /
 The arc starts at the inside curve of the        \ /
ladder and rises to the top to eventually         / \
"blow-out" when the arc distance cannot be      ==|==|=  mounting base
maintained.

There are a few other tricks that you can do with a good low power coil...
like holding a flouro light near it, or plasma displays (try an old globe)etc.
 
Hope this is of interest.