Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!ncr-sd!sagpd1!jharkins
From: jharkins@sagpd1.UUCP (Jim Harkins)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Anyone know about arc generators? `ffzzapp'
Message-ID: <618@sagpd1.UUCP>
Date: 2 Feb 90 23:11:23 GMT
References: <5237@vax1.tcd.ie> <286@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM> <1990Jan31.155511.20128@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> <1141@carroll1.cc.edu>
Reply-To: jharkins@sagpd1.UUCP (Jim Harkins)
Organization: Scientific Atlanta, Government Products Div, San Diego, CA
Lines: 19

In article <1141@carroll1.cc.edu> dnewton@carroll1.cc.edu (Dave Newton the Late) writes:
>In article <1990Jan31.155511.20128@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> dkazdan@cwsys2.UUCP (David Kazdan, M.D.) writes:
>>>transformer.   I have a 12kv, 30ma transformer which does the job nicely.
>>CAUTION:  LETHAL DEVICE.
>
>   Not necessarily--I've been zapped by tesla's and other low-current/high-
>voltage&frequency devices before.  One threw me across a basement (Dave, why
>are you on the laundry table?) but I'm still alive.  Decidedly uncomfortable.

Depends on where you touch it.  I built a tesla coil from a Popular Electronics
(june 1966 rings a bell...) so I know a bit about them.  If you touch the
120V input, or the xxKV output of the neon tube xformer then can I have
your stereo?  If you touch the tip of the coil itself then expect a nasty burn
as this is 100+ KV (thats over 100,000 volts, son)  at a high frequency.  High
frequencies tend to travel along the skin instead of penetrating, this has
probably saved a few teenagers lives.  Me?  I was always careful as hell and
never once got zapped by anything.

jim