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: Bert,
:
: Have you ever experienced shocks passing through your shields as described
: by N. Tesla? These shock waves were described as being able to pass
: through even metals which seem hard to believe. These events occured
: during his experiments with quenched discharges (no reversals).
:
: They are also noted in the old days during Edisons DC power systems.(In
: conjunction with N. Tesla's early career) In the time frame of a
: milliseconds after the closure of the mains, a corona would form. This was
: noted as being quite lethal.
:
: Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
:
: Thanks,
:
: STeve
:
Hi Steve,
Do you know of any reports for these effects that come directly from Tesla's writings or from other writings from that period? If so, I would be VERY interested in reading them. These effects seem to be reported only in modern day accounts and "reinterpretations" of some of the work done by Tesla and others by folks selling Tesla/HAARP/conspiracy or Free Energy books.
For example, I have read about these fascinating effects within books authored by Gerry Vassilatos, or on web sites that refer to or copy sections from these same books. I have copies of his books since I often get asked about some of the "stranger" effects of pulsed or high frequency power, and his name keeps on popping up. Unfortunately, Mr. Vassilatos does not separate his own speculations, nor his (re)interpretation of facts that he's lifted from factual sources of the period. I have not been able to verify the above claims in any of Tesla's or other period writings, nor in the sources he references, in any documents of the period, nor in any modern day Tesla or pulsed power experiments. And, it must be mentioned, much of his "theory" about how Tesla Coil operate, spark gap operation, and quenching is simply wrong (both theoretically and experimentally). It should also be mentioned that modern day pulsed power equipment routinely works with unipolar high voltage and high current pulses (i.e., non-reversing) that have nanosecond and even subnanosecond risetimes. And the reported effects above are simply not observed.
I have not personally experienced or witnessed any of these effects, and I am unaware of any serious Tesla Coil researchers or pulsed power engineers/physicists who have either. I have quite an extensive collection of engineering and physics books and technical journals that go back to the early 1900's when both AC and DC power systems were being planned and designed. These cover the gory details where various engineering or safety problems were discussed and resolved. The effects above are not reported in these primary documents, nor are they reported as design or safety issues in today's AC OR DC low or high voltage electrical power systems or in high energy pulsed power systems, even though today's power and energy levels are orders of magnitude higher than that those used or even dreamed of at the turn of the previous century. Potentially dangerous high voltage surges can occur upon sudden current interruption (particularly in systems with substantial inductance) and the effect is well understood. However, corona formation upon "turn on" is not mentioned in any primary documents of the period for either DC or AC power systems.
My conclusion is that these effects are, for the most part, figments of Mr. Vassilatos's imagination. Or, perhaps his personal "reinterpretations" of some of Tesla's or other engineering documents of the period when colored by a "conspiracy theory" perspective. These accounts make for interesting, and even entertaining, reading. But don't put too much faith in their accuracy.
Sorry, but I call them as I see them...
Bert
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