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5I) Grounding. Technically, grounding isn't a component. It is very important however. One important distinction is between the "mains" ground and the "RF" ground. The mains ground is what is used to protect the house wiring. This often terminates in a copper stake pounded into the ground near the breaker box. This ground is used to protect the input side of a Tesla coil. The RF ground is what is used to ground the HV side of the TC circuit. It too is often a copper stake pounded into the ground. Make sure it is as far away from the mains ground stake as possible. If your soil is really rocky or has a lot of clay, you may need more than one stake. Damp areas are best if you have the choice. Soldering connections is recommended if possible. I use a copper stake pounded six feet into the ground, in an area that is kept damp by washing machine overflow (I'm a hick, what can I say!). The stake is connected to the coil by 8 gauge multi-stranded wire. I personally use the mains ground up to and including the PSU controller. The PSU itself, and all other components of the system use the RF ground. Make sure the ground wire doesn't lead past anything metal or delicate, as it is possible for current to jump from the ground wire. I was playing with a bunch of caps doing big discharges one day, and I must have surpassed the ground wire's ability to absorb current. I saw a large hot spark jump from the ground wire to the metal portion of my grandmother's old pedal style sewing machine. Grounding is important stuff, both for safety and performance, and is one of the first things you need to establish for experimentation. People who live in apartment buildings have grounding issues that I am not qualified to comment on, but need to be properly addressed unless you like lynch mobs.
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The Hydrogen Fuel Cell
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