EHT power supply design and construction

Gentlemen please! - No politics on this thread - even as a 'joke':eek: --- Yes I know! But then I also know that political discussion doesn't remain 'friendly' for long!o_O

Apologies for my absence -- seems the only condition more annoying than a frozen water pipe in an inaccessible space bound by 25" poured Portland walls is a ruptured water pipe in an inaccessible space bound by 25" poured Portland walls!:mad:

Very best regards
HP
 

cmartinez

Joined Jan 17, 2007
8,788
Yeah..... this is drifting off into politics. Walls, barriers, who builds them and who goes through has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.
Not going to back track how many posts but there are a lot that have nothing whatsoever to do with EHT power supplies so let's leave all of that elsewhere.

Thanks.
Right ... it's like playing with fire... or with extreme high voltage power supplies... :p

Just kidding, I agree we should get back to topic.
 

Thread Starter

Aleph(0)

Joined Mar 14, 2015
597
So just as update: HP and I have decided that if I can't be back on here on regular basis by end of month she'll go ahead and present EHT meter project and also high current LV_PSU (which is needed to power HV drivers).

OBTW @cmartinez seeing your posts abt practical controlled fusion (in another thread) I say plz don't be too ragey abt my temporary absence on here cuz thanks work I and a lot of other ppl are doing, self-sustaining controlled fusion could be reality sooner than u think;):cool:!
 
HP and I have decided that if I can't be back on here on regular basis by end of month she'll go ahead and present EHT meter project
Yupper! (Re: the balanced DC EHT indicator) -- Imaging and 'in vivo' evaluation are 98% completed (at least) and resident in my blog:) -- Hence it's a mere matter of composing the text -- Please advise as regards your schedule as soon as you may do so with some measure of confidence:cool:

also high current LV_PSU (which is needed to power HV drivers).
As you are aware it works like the proverbial 'Swiss watch' -- howbeit my prototype is yet a jumpered-together patchwork on my lab table:oops: -- that said, much of the sub-system imaging and schematics are complete! Moreover I don't expect any 'surprises' assembling it in the form of a safe, well-neigh respectable, 'TIHIDI' (i.e. 'This Is How I Did It') project --- So... There'll be plenty to keep the team and avid readers busy pending your return...:cool:

cuz thanks work I and a lot of other ppl are doing, self-sustaining controlled fusion could be reality sooner than u think;):cool:!
@Aleph(0):rolleyes: --- Please take care Re: 'too much information' as regards your 'off-line life'! --- Kindly bear in mind that --owing to our acknowledged consanguinity-- 'doxing' yourself means 'doxing' me as well --- I wouldn't like that!:mad::rolleyes:

Very best regards
HP:)
 
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Thread Starter

Aleph(0)

Joined Mar 14, 2015
597
Noooooooooo! Please don't encourage her!:eek::eek::eek:
@Hypatia's Protege u can laugh but I say think on how many problems will be solved by ultra _high density_, vry low cost, clean, totally inexhaustible energy source:)! Now just so nobody gets wrong idea I'm NOT talking abt _over unity_ BS or like that:rolleyes:! Anyhow since topic of IEC fusion reactors and like that is basically off-topic on here until we get to EHT applications, Im totally happy just shutup abt it for now:cool:!

Please advise as regards your schedule as soon as you may do so with some measure of confidence:cool:
HP all I can say is if I'm not 100% back to regular participation on here by March 1'st plz just start EHT meter _tihidi_:)! So in meantime u can finish building LVPSU so it's like _in pipeline_ too:)

OBTW @shortbus If u can find time plz compose instructional text for your alternate d'arsonval movement mounting diagrams so we can incorporate them with EHT meter plans:) Also plz don't be worried abt past bickers:oops:! Cuz whole idea is that your contributions are 100% in your words (which goes for everybody):)!
 
Wasn't there a text that went with that?
Greetings, @shortbus! -- Thanks for your response! --- Inasmuch as @Aleph(0) is unavailable for the nonce, lemme see what I can find...

Apart from the intro to your post (HERE) I'm uncertain...:confused: Perhaps the 'details' are scattered throughout the subsequent discussion?

FWIW I've asked @Aleph(0) to contact @Jazz2C (i.e. 'JC') in regards to this matter -- IIRC JC planned to assemble the instrument as per your d'Arsonval modification scheme - hence he may, one can but hope, have downloaded any accompanying 'detail text'.:)

Very best regards and again thank you!
HP:)
 

shortbus

Joined Sep 30, 2009
10,049
@ Hypatia's Protege, With out knowing the size of the meter people are using, I can't see how it could be described any better. The dimensions will change for every size of meter, that is why I put in the text that the sketch is based on a 4 inch meter. Unless you are providing the meters along with the flyback/LOPT to the group. If that is the case, pleas provide a data sheet for the meter.

Guess I've just been a maker of things for too long. If the sketch and text dimensions shown are for that size, you would just extrapolate dimensions for a given size meter.
 
Guess I've just been a maker of things for too long. If the sketch and text dimensions shown are for that size, you would just extrapolate dimensions for a given size meter.

Many sincere thanks for your response:) FWIW, My concern isn't with 'scale' but, rather, with possible ambiguity in the eyes of readers having little to no experience with mechanical drafting...


Drafts included (below) for reference:


To clarify the desirability of expansion upon your proposal (or, perhaps, merely my perception thereof):

Although we might reasonably expect that the loci and functions of the 'panel' and the 'mesh' --To wit: the front panel of the cabinet to which the indicator will be affixed -and- the indicators' Faraday shield (mesh) (respectively)-- will be readily apparent to even those unversed in mechanical drafting -- I feel that explicit textual exposition of the relationship and function of the 'locator' and the 'clamp' relative to the modified indicator may be helpful? -- (e.g. the disposition of the bezel [if equipped] and the transparency, etc...) --- IOW we're (Ahem I am:oops:) requesting that you 'spell it out' ('dumb it down'?:eek::oops:)' for 'mechanical idiots' (such as myself:oops:)


Many thanks for your assistance and advance thanks for your continued patience!:oops::cool:

Very best regards
HP:)
 

Thread Starter

Aleph(0)

Joined Mar 14, 2015
597
@Hypatia's Protege or @theodoravain whichever of u is minding _store_ plz help get message out to team and lvpsu builders that _bullet_ type thermal fuse won't protect ballast resistor! Cuz fuse wrks based on heating of radial leads but resistor totally incinerates itself b4 its terminals are even like _lukewarm_!

So everybody reading here plz just use _magnetron type_ TCO w/ plate in contact with resistor body!

Also it's good idea to use lower temp TCO than used on MWO magnetrons and also single-use fuse is better idea too (cuz it forces attention to overheating issue) but if u don't want to bother finding that, just MWO TCO will work ok 2 prevent fire but no guarantee of saving ballast resistor!

FWIW I've asked @Aleph(0) to contact @Jazz2C (i.e. 'JC') in regards to this matter -- IIRC JC planned to assemble the instrument as per your d'Arsonval modification scheme - hence he may, one can but hope, have downloaded any accompanying 'detail text'.:)
HP he's looking for it so he'll let us know on here asap:)!
 

shortbus

Joined Sep 30, 2009
10,049
Short explanation of the sketches -

1. since there are so many brands and sizes of meter available I didn't give real sizes, just letter values. Any other fractions added to the 'letter' are just to make it work, they could also be in similar metric values.

2. The meter is shown from a front and back view. There is a circle drawn on the back, since many of the meters I'm familiar with use that to enclose the meter movement. It should be changed if your meter is different, to match what you have.

3. In all sketches that have 4 small circles shown, those are holes to be drilled all at the same spacing and size. The size will need to be such to fit what ever hardware, screws and nuts, you chose to use. My suggestion would be the easily available 6-32 or 8-32 screws or metric equivalents. The length of the screws isn't given, but needs to be long enough to span the length of the assembled "stack up" of the parts, plus a little more. The 'little more' is to make it easier to start the final nuts in the stack up. You will need 4 screws and 8 nuts to fit them.

4. My suggestion would be to use 1/4 inch thick material or metric equivalent for both the locator and meter clamp. I would not use acrylic/plexiglas but use lexan/polycarbonate or another plastic for them. The plexi/acrylic is too brittle and tends to crack when working with it, but that is just my experience.

5. Depending on what you choose to use for the Faraday shield, it may be easier to cut the clearance for the mounting screws at a 45 degree angle instead of trying to drill holes. I didn't show it but probably should have. Some materials it would be hard to get a hole in the correct place due to the make up of it, so just cutting the corners to clear the screws should make life easier.

6. The 'stack up' is as follows - put screw through front panel screw hole, put mesh over screws, put locator on next and secure with first set of nuts, one on each screw and tighten them. Doing this will then allow the shield and locator to be trapped in place. Then insert the meter in the locator opening, then add the meter clamp. By then putting the final set of nuts on the screws and tightening them, you should have a meter located and Faraday shield held in place.
 

Jazz2C

Joined May 27, 2016
52
@Aleph(0) Is Zen shutting down? It's been days! Can only route through Frankfurt now. Their home office?

@shortbus, the sketches! Sweet!:cool:

I've asked @Aleph(0) to contact @Jazz2C (i.e. 'JC') in regards to this matter -- IIRC JC planned to assemble the instrument as per your d'Arsonval modification scheme - hence he may, one can but hope, have downloaded any accompanying 'detail text'.:)
Abt a year ago I mounted the volt meter for my 12kv hipot tester based on shortbus' plans, fine as wine!:cool: IMO his newly added sketches leave no room for ambiguity! Now totally friendly to the most severely mechanically challenged!:D

Fare the well!:cool:
 

shortbus

Joined Sep 30, 2009
10,049
Abt a year ago I mounted the volt meter for my 12kv hipot tester based on shortbus' plans, fine as wine!:cool: IMO his newly added sketches leave no room for ambiguity! Now totally friendly to the most severely mechanically challenged!:D
Thank you for that Jazz. I thought later after posting about something that could make the locator and meter clamp even easier for people. If you guys want I can show a sketch of that too.
 
Here are the sketches of what was described above.View attachment 170479 View attachment 170480
Excellent! -- Many sincere thanks!:)

I thought later after posting about something that could make the locator and meter clamp even easier for people. If you guys want I can show a sketch of that too.
By all means!:cool:

Abt a year ago I mounted the volt meter for my 12kv hipot tester based on shortbus' plans, fine as wine!:cool:
@Jazz2C -- Did/could you capture images of the movement (so mounted) for upload?:)

Again, sincere apologies for my absence:oops: -- This time down to clean-up and repair (read: 'partial reconstruction':mad:) following an arc-flash incident arising from my "Genny shack's" switchgear:rolleyes: -- I think I shall never cease to be amazed by the extent of damage corollary to the heat and blast attending a scant 5 seconds' arc-fault on a mere 480V - 3Φ arrangement (MAFC < 100kA) -- Said damage including disruption of solid, 18" Portland walls and IR indued ignition of 'woodwork' across a 60' room:mad::rolleyes:...

Happily, for the fortunate absence of personnel in or near the structure, there we're no injuries/deaths! --- One takeaway though -- OSHA's '25 Cal' PPE standard is so much piffle! -- Had anyone been within 10 meters of that cabinet, any expectation hope of 'able-bodied survival' would have required welder's gear and an EOD blast suit! -- Please don't 'get me wrong'! - It is my stance that while OSHA is certainly a 'step in the right direction' - they're a step only!

Very best regards
HP
 
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Thread Starter

Aleph(0)

Joined Mar 14, 2015
597
@Aleph(0) Is Zen shutting down? It's been days! Can only route through Frankfurt now. Their home office?
JC Zenmate is based in Germany so Frankfurt is definite possibly but I definitely don't think they're shutting down cuz remember they said gratis subscribers would be limited to single server starting way over a year ago (IIRC Nov 19 2017) so if that's what's happening it only goes 2 show we're (by which I mean EHT tutorial developers) aren't only _foot draggers_ on Web:oops::D! Anyhow I'm connected through US server now but Whoer says I'm routed through Europe anyhow:confused:! So whatever:rolleyes:! EDIT: So I spoke too soon! Cuz I just had 2 switch to German server 2 reestablish connectiono_O!

This time down to clean-up and repair (read: 'partial reconstruction':mad:) following an arc-flash incident arising from my "Genny shack's" switchgear:rolleyes: -- I think I shall never cease to be amazed by the extent of damage corollary to the heat and blast attending a scant 5 seconds' arc-fault on a mere 480V - 3Φ arrangement (MAFC < 100kA) -- Said damage including disruption of solid, 18" Portland walls and IR indued ignition of 'woodwork' across a 60' room:mad::rolleyes:...
HP So o/c I know it happened during scheduled maintenance operation of transfer switches, so good on you for automating everything cuz no harm can come 2 tech who isn't there:)! But I say even though it's totally different procedure it still proves my point abt never, ever racking in breakers on energized bus! Cuz ppl who think it's totally safe as long as breakers are open are living and sometimes DYING in fool's paradise:(! Cuz tiniest arc just from surface moisture or insect or whatever can definitely ionize enough air to get all three phases into it causing catastrophic metal arc at full MAFC:eek:! So what a lot of ppl just don't get is biggest hazard of high energy electrical equipment isn't shock! It's arc fault!

So I won't even remove single phase 240V watt-hour meter w/o safety puller and welder's suit plus big CO2 fire extinguisher handy cuz even when load is totally disconnected at load center (to prevent arc due 2 breaking circuit) there's still unfused 240V secondary lines which could break loose from socket and short! Now I know some ppl are prolly thinking 240V would just burn off wires and not maintain arc for vry long but I say vry bad things (like setting house on fire or getting splashed by molten Cu) don't take vry long! So 2 ppl thinking I'm just a _safety geek_ all I can say is ur wrong! I'm a survival geek! Cuz I've personally seen a few arc fault accidents and heard of a lot more! So for analogy I'd drive car w/o safety belts but I'd definitely insist on working brakes:eek:!

So here's vry important _disclaimers_ for ppl not familiar with electrical distribution equip! Unless u know exact details of your service setup, removing watt-hour meter is not guarantee of disconnection! Cuz a lot of installations use current transformers which basically bypass meter from power supply POV! Also removing hydro's meter w/o cause will definitely piss them off big time and u could be accused of theft of service! So best way is to have hydro install external disconnect on POLE just after their meter! That way u can isolate your buildings from their line and also a fire in their equipment stays 100% their problem! So NEVER let them install their equip on wall of your buildings!

Here's another thing! Don't have wrong idea abt primary fuse! It's whole purpose is protecting primary line! NOT xfmr or secondary wiring! So it's sized so dead shorted primary won't overload feeder causing blackout! Best perspective 2 use is that only _fuse_ b4 load center is basically the drop wires!

One takeaway though -- OSHA's '25 Cal' PPE standard is so much piffle! -- Had anyone been within 10 meters of that cabinet, any expectation hope of 'able-bodied survival' would have required welder's gear and an EOD blast suit! -- Please don't 'get me wrong'! - It is my stance that while OSHA is certainly a 'step in the right direction' - they're a step only!
HP I say that's totally true of all safety standards! It's like cars! If they really cared abt safety they'd mandate entire fuel storage and delivery system and brake lines were 100% corrosion proof! Same with air compressor tanks and like that! So safety standards are just balance of making insurance companies and unions happy on one side and manufacturers on other! So like u say ppl are really on their own! So fact that EOD body suit + welder's head gear is way better protection against arc fault than wimpy Cat 4 arc fault ppe is perfect example of that!

@shortbus BIG TIME thanks:)! So since I prolly won't have much time 2b on here for a few more weeks, HP will be publishing EHT meter _tihidi_ beginning of next month so it's vry nice that she can suggest your meter mounting as preferred alternative:)! So thanks for your expertise, work and permission to archive it (with full attribution o/c):cool:!

Edited by @Aleph(0) 2 replace obscure abbreviation:)
 
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