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Registered Member #2416
Joined: Sun Oct 04 2009, 04:23AM
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 91
Murdock, research the "skin effect".
As I understand it, the frequency of the TC, some say, has alot to do with how "safe" it is to touch. Some say it's a misconception, but other say it does have an effect. I have personally don't know if it's true or not. In reality it's never safe to interact with high voltage of any kind. However, the skin effect says that the current will tend to travel on the surface of conductors if the frequency is very high. So that would mean the the current may only travel along your skin and avoid internal organs. Supposedly that's why some people have survived lightning strikes. They get a nasty lightning bolt shaped burn on their bodies and their clothes get ripped to shreds, yet they live. The deadly currents never pass through their organs.
As to what frequencies are safe? I have no idea, nor would I really want to guess. And actually higher frequencies usually make some hotter, fuller, sparks that can burn what they come in contact with. So perhaps the frequency may be high enough to keep the current on the surface but then you'll be touching some hot "firey" sparks. Honestly, Tesla coils are loud and intimidating devices. Once you see some sparks in person you may be a little more reluctant to reach out and touch.
Registered Member #2899
Joined: Wed Jun 02 2010, 06:31PM
Location: Deinze, Belgium
Posts: 255
To do surgical operation, a frequency of 500 kHz is used, with a power up to 400 watt. The 'electricity' itself can not be felled by the patient or do any harm, on that frequency, because it does not interact with the nervous system. However, it burns! (that is the purpose of it)
Registered Member #2463
Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
Location:
Posts: 1546
As to safety of a Tesla Coil, the basic guideline is the energy used to drive it. You cant get more from the coil than you put into it.
Consider the coil system a black box. Worst Case: The black box contains two copper conductors connecting the input source of power to the output terminal of the coil and earth, not entirely a remote possibility with a poorly built NST powered spark gap triggered coil.
The other safety issue is the environment. Could the coil ignite something?Matches, dust buildup, crepe paper decorations at a party or a butane lighter in your pocket, are just a few items,
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How to know what "safe" is with a TC
