why do tesla coils have spark gaps and capacitors?

Answer 1

The Tesla coil windings are not designed for 60 Hz, but much higher frequencies (100 kHz - 1 MHz depending on how it is wound).

But, you still need "AC" to operate the coil (which is really a transformer). The high voltage 60 Hz AC is used to charge capacitors on the rising portion of the sine wave (and the negative going edge, too), and when the voltage on the capacitor reaches the gap voltage, the spark-gap discharges the capacitor into the primary, thus inducing the very high voltage in the secondary. The rising edge of the spark-gap discharge is much faster than the slower sine-wave "edge" of the 60 Hz. The faster rising edge contains higher frequency content, so the coil responds as it should.

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Answer 2

Tesla coils are precisely that a coil. merely like a transformer it operates on a changing voltage including AC, as a manner to generate the changing voltage from time to time they use a fee cap and a spark hollow. be careful with those issues, they are able to harm you. For one among my consumers I layout extreme Voltage Cascades (100KV), Tesla coils can hit the 1MV selection. i'm no longer a great fan of Tesla, he replace into approximately to microwave the completed international together with his loose ability venture.

Answer 3

I thought Tesla was a big hair band from the 80's.......