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4hv.org :: Forums :: High Voltage
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What do you think about spark gap tubes

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ifryd
Fri Feb 03 2012, 02:16PM Print
ifryd Registered Member #4215 Joined: Wed Nov 16 2011, 09:45PM
Location:
Posts: 32
 		Hi

Do you think these type of spark gap tubes are appropriate for Tesla coils?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spark-gap-tube.jpg

They all have some kind of radioactive material inside. I believe it is added as starter to ionize gas inside the tube. But is it also used also to quench spark?

How much currents you can switch with such tubes?
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Alex M
Fri Feb 03 2012, 02:30PM
Alex M Registered Member #3943 Joined: Sun Jun 12 2011, 05:24PM
Location: The Shire, UK
Posts: 552
 		I guess it all depends on the rating of the tube, some might have been designed for voltage spike protection and thus not suitable for continuous discharge like in tesla coils.

But I am no expert so perhaps someone else here can clarify?
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Proud Mary
Fri Feb 03 2012, 04:26PM
Proud Mary Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992
 		One of the rods has a hole drilled in it, so it could only have had low heaty capacity. It wasn't designed for repetitive firing, though it looks as though a coating once on the spheres has been eroded away by frequent use. I'd put it in the dustbin.
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Forty
Fri Feb 03 2012, 05:26PM
Forty Registered Member #3888 Joined: Sun May 15 2011, 09:50PM
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 649
 		I've used xenon flash bulbs as triggered spark gaps for a coilgun, and i might soon try them in a marx generator. but I do not think that any tube that's designed to pulse every now and then could be used in a tesla coil unless it's a very low power coil. You'd need something like an ignitron, which might be possible to diy.
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ifryd
Fri Feb 03 2012, 06:15PM
ifryd Registered Member #4215 Joined: Wed Nov 16 2011, 09:45PM
Location:
Posts: 32
 		Here you can see this kind of spark gap tube in operation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFuc177FrRc

I asked about them because one guy was selling them on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CK1097-7-Spark-Gap-Tube-Valve-NOS-Raytheon-/250978767162?pt=UK_Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item3a6f80113a

What maximum charge they can constantly switch? What do you think?
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Antonio
Sun Feb 05 2012, 04:36PM
Antonio Registered Member #834 Joined: Tue Jun 12 2007, 10:57PM
Location: Brazil
Posts: 644
 		This is a radioactive tube containing Cesium 137. Stay away from it. As far as possible.
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Alex M
Sun Feb 05 2012, 04:44PM
Alex M Registered Member #3943 Joined: Sun Jun 12 2011, 05:24PM
Location: The Shire, UK
Posts: 552
Antonio wrote ...

This is a radioactive tube containing Cesium 137. Stay away from it. As far as possible.

So where would they usually be installed and what applications would a dangerous radioactive spark gap tube be used in?
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radiotech
Sun Feb 05 2012, 08:58PM
radiotech Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
 		This data may inform about old spark tubes:
1328475495 2463 FT133567 Mitradarschool
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ifryd
Sun Feb 05 2012, 09:26PM
ifryd Registered Member #4215 Joined: Wed Nov 16 2011, 09:45PM
Location:
Posts: 32
This is a radioactive tube containing Cesium 137. Stay away from it. As far as possible.

The guy who was or is selling them told me radioactivity is at safe level and that he measured it with Geiger counter.
Anyway I am still not convinced. From the other side many older tubes were made radioactive to enhance properties of these devices.
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Proud Mary
Sun Feb 05 2012, 10:12PM
Proud Mary Registered Member #543 Joined: Tue Feb 20 2007, 04:26PM
Location: UK
Posts: 4992
Alex1M6 wrote ...

Antonio wrote ...

This is a radioactive tube containing Cesium 137. Stay away from it. As far as possible.

So where would they usually be installed and what applications would a dangerous radioactive spark gap tube be used in?


TG46 datasheet, Pinout ,application circuits TG Two Electrode Legacy Series Spark Gaps
Link2
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