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Spark Gaps & Related Stuff

A Static Spark Gap as used on my Bi-Polar or Half Wave TC

Rotary Spark Gap photos on the Magnifier page

Various Spark Gap Discussions

Magnetic Quenching Discussions

Updated Nov. 10, 2004

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Photo 1 - the five gap prototype to the right of the six gap unit.  Photo 2 - six gap unit ready to install.  Photo 3 & 4 - each side of the removable gap section, this shows the two acrylic air-flow plates in their normal position.  The plate with two rows of angled acrylic tubes is the air intake which directs the air into and through the gap sections.  Photo 4 - exhaust side with its larger diameter acrylic tubes.  Photo 5 - side view.  These acrylic air-flow pieces are not attached to the spark gap section but put in place as in their respective slots in the enclosure, seen in photos 6 & 7.

6                                7                               8

Photos 6 - inside view.  Photo 7 - all of the components.  The acrylic piece in the enclosure is meant to be a sound baffle.  I've yet to measure the noise level with it in place and with it removed but will perform that test soon.  Photo 8 - back view which shows the air intake slot.  The cherry wood enclosure is sealed with several coats of orange shellac, each lightly sanded, then finished with eight coats of gloss lacquer.

The copper gap sections each have a copper band soldered to their middle and all sections are clamped between teflon, top and bottom.  This ssg was designed to provide maximum electrical isolation, to be resistant to heating, to capture all ozone/breakdown products, for outside exhausting and to minimize noise.  Sound insulation material inside a larger enclosure may be the next step.  When connected to the vacuum, the gap sections do not heat up more than a few degrees over ambient.  No metal was used in the enclosure construction.

                                                        Specifications

• 0.0455" wall thickness, common cu pipe
• Gap section length =  1.9"
• Gap section diameter = 7/8"
• Enclosure dimensions = 9.25" wide, 6" deep, 4.75" tall
• 15kV neon wire for leads

                    Quenching with Nitrogen vs. Compressed Air

Electrode Materials - Regarding al & ti as electrode material, these metals have a valence of +3 or +4 if pushed hard enough, this means that under the flux of high potential spark you will have a rapid conversion to the metallic oxide.  Electrode metals, if they are to last should be found on the periodic table with low valence & high melting point, platinum would be nice if we could afford it.  Just a suggestion. Respectfully, B. J. Ackley,  BSEE, MS, PhD.