Do not try this at home

[reible]

Digikey has a good selection of high-voltage hookup wire.

Might have been my problem, I looked at a heavier gauge, I was thinking 14 GA but the more I think of it the less likely it needs to be that heavy.

I did locate a source of Packard 440 spark plug wire, $1.30 (in lengths over 10 feet) a foot so 12 feet of that would be a little cheaper. I was not able to find a gauge on the wire but it is a 7mm jacket. Didn't look at postage either. More research need on my part.

Thanks for the second effort on the wire. I totally missed it.

Ed


If I were still working at the labs I would order 100 feet of it and pay the $400+ but I'm not there any more. I was thinking more like 10 feet or 20 feet, still maybe best getting spark plug wire if I can find the low resistance type with out suppression, some body must still use that stuff for a drag racer or older car.

Ed

I had them sorted by price, but the sort order must not have stuck. I was thinking 50 feet of 10kV 18AWG for $26.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/737852 (red)
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/e ... -ND/737851 (black)

[reible]

Might have been my problem, I looked at a heavier gauge, I was thinking 14 GA but the more I think of it the less likely it needs to be that heavy.

I did locate a source of Packard 440 spark plug wire, $1.30 (in lengths over 10 feet) a foot so 12 feet of that would be a little cheaper. I was not able to find a gauge on the wire but it is a 7mm jacket. Didn't look at postage either. More research need on my part.

Thanks for the second effort on the wire. I totally missed it.

Ed

[BuckeyeDennis]

The reason I knew Digikey had the stuff is that I was sourcing it for a project at work last week. Assuming a 1000W microwave oven, I'd guess the transformer is about 2kVA. Which is only 1A at 2000V. So 18AWG is actually serious overkill, but it's cheaper and easier to work with than 20-26 AWG.

[Ed in Tampa]

If you don't want to wreck a mirowave you should be able to use an old TV fly back transformer.

Be careful doing any of this. I had a professor that worked over seas at a microwave installation. I don't recall the exact events but he ended up with a carbonized path from the tip of his thump that exited after knuckle closest to the wrist.

You could see most of the line if he held his hand just right.

[reible]

Took a risk and opened my microwave transformer box. I was a little worried as the box was a little beaten up. I didn't pay a lot for it but I was hoping that it would arrive in decent condition so I could use it. Feet a little bent up but overall things look good.

The ebay story was that it was from a damaged microwave rather then a old used and parted out one. It looks new enough and I have no reason to not believe the story. Used an ohm meter to check the primary and it looks fine, also check to the secondary and the high voltage output and to the frame of the transformer. Every thing looks fine. Did the same with all the leads and frame and assured myself of the high voltage output lead(one side goes to the frame so you get a reading to the frame from this lead only).

My 10KV wire has been here for a while. Found some alligator clamps to attach to the wires to attach to the wood from the outputs to play with. things are looking like next week might see some burning going on.

Getting there again, excited to see this work in real life.

Ed

[rpd]

Here is a video that Mike Peace posted the other day.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n4Zqd9vv8o[/youtube]

[ERLover]

reible, after working with 480 and 4160 volt switch gear, I would get a pair of dual linemans gloves, they consist of a pair of high voltage rubber/insulated gloves with a pair of leather gloves that fit over them.
You take the rubber gloves and blow into them to expand them a bit roll the cuff tight and take them close to your check to feel a air leak. if it has even a pin hole leak, no good, voltage will find it. The leather over glove is just there to protect the rubber glove, no electrical insulating properties for high voltage.

[jsburger]

You know Ed, people are afraid of electricity when they don't know anything about it. That is great. I am glad you are going to do it.

To say "Don't do this at home" is crazy. If you know what you are doing there is no problem.

The point is don't touch live circuits regardless of what you are doing. Linesman's gloves are hardly necessary. Hook everything up with the power OFF (obviously) and hit the switch and burn.

It is not that big of a deal. Yes, someone will come in with some hypothetical senerio. So be it.

[ERLover]

JB it was just a suggestion, error on the cautious side.

[JPG]

JB it was just a suggestion, error on the cautious side.

The 'cautious side' is 'do not handle live parts'.