Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!decwrl!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-sdd!hp-pcd!hplsla!tomb
From: tomb@hplsla.HP.COM (Tom Bruhns)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Anyone know about arc generators? `ffzzapp'
Message-ID: <5170071@hplsla.HP.COM>
Date: 31 Jan 90 19:25:50 GMT
References: <2813@goanna.oz.au>
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA
Lines: 27

dnl@goanna.oz.au (David "IGOR" Latter) writes:
>In article <5237@vax1.tcd.ie>, jfsenior@vax1.tcd.ie (K.) writes:
>> OK,
>> 
>> 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.
>> 
>>  ...
>>
>> Anyone have any idea what I'm talking about?
>> 
>------------------
>What you want to know about is called a "Tesla Coil"
For many simple experiments, a neon tube transformer can also be used.
These produce a limited current at rather high voltage (about 20 kV;
generally about 20 mA).  They are short-circuit protected, but be
aware that they can be LETHAL.  The output is simply a voltage-stepped-
up version of the input, so the frequency is still 60 Hz (though probably
with quite a bit of harmonic distortion).  Since they don't produce RF,
there are a lot of experiments that you can't use them for that the
tesla coil might be good for.  (If you change the frequency used to
excite a neon light bulb, for example, the color goes from the usual
orange to a pretty purple as you get up into the 10's of MHz...)

> 
>Hope this is of interest.
>----------