To: violetray@yahoogroups.com
From: "qfe24" <s.cipio@ntlworld.com>
Date: Thu, 08 Aug 2002 20:23:51 -0000
Subject: [violetray] Oscilloscope traces of a wand's output.

 

Hi all,

 

For the techy curious of you out there. I have at last managed to hook up a 200MHz LeCroy¹ scope² and 1000x probe³ to have a good look at the output waveform from a wand. (The pics are in my diectory, Tom's> output traces).

The peak to peak voltage measured is frequently in the 30kV (30,000 volts) region with bursts of 45-50kV (45,000 to 50,000 volts) quite common. These measurements were taken on a 1970's Helios unit⁴. The spark length from this more modern set is no different to that of units from the 1920/30's⁵.

regards to all

Tom aka QF24

 

Tom's oscilloscope traces included in his report are as follows:

 

File: VW - trace2.jpg

 

File: VW - trace3.jpg

 

File: VW - trace4.jpg

 

File: VW - trace5.jpg

 

 

Explanatory Footnotes:

1. LeCroy is a brand of Digital Oscilloscopes² (see LeCroy Home Page). These oscilloscopes not only are capable of picturing waveforms, but can also perform spectrum⁶ and statistical⁷ analyses of them.


2. Oscilloscope (or Scope) is an electronic test instrument that allows the viewing of AC and DC waveforms.


3. 1000X Probe = An attenuating probe that can be used to measure high voltages. At 1000X, a 10,000 volt signal would be brought down to a 10 volt signal at the test instrument.
4. A brand of cosmetology Violet Wands.


5. Such as the Violet Ray (see photo).


6. Spectrum Analysis is a way of mathematically analyzing a waveform by determining its constituent frequencies. In test instruments¾ especially digital oscilloscopes like the LeCroy¾ the mathematics is done by an embedded computer.


7. Statistical Analysis is another mathematical way of analyzing a waveform by determining such statistical quantities as average value, minimum and maximum values, standard deviation, etc. Again this is done in a test instrument's embedded computer.


8. The oscilloscope traces are taken of the spark produced by the Violet Wand.


9. Explanation of the Scope Trace Notes:

• In the box to the left of the trace tells the time division for each vertical reference line (in 1/1000^th's of a second or milliseconds, ms, OR in 1/1,000,000^th's of a second or microseconds, m s), and the voltage division for each horizontal reference line (in 1000's of volts or kilovolts, kV)


• The information below the trace shows:

• The number of sweeps, i.e., the total number of traces that are looked at in order to determine the statistical numbers


• The statistical⁷ numbers mathematically determined in these number of sweeps for both voltage and frequency. These statistical numbers are:

• Average = the statistical⁷ average in these number of sweeps of the voltage or frequency


• Low = the lowest voltage or frequency measured during these number of sweeps


• High = the highest voltage or frequency measured during these number of sweeps


• Sigma = the standard deviation of the voltage or frequency calculated for these number of sweeps. Basically it tells where the bulk of the measured values (about the average value) occur. Thus if you had values ranging from 1 to 10 with an average of 3, a sigma of 1 would mean that most of the measured values would be from 2 to 4, or towards the low end of the values. A sigma of say 6 would mean that the values are pretty evenly distributed between 1 and 10.

Summary of Results: Cursory inspection of Tom's data shows pretty consistently that his Violet Wand was delivering sparks of 30,000 volts peak to peak (and sometimes to 50,000 volts peak to peak). The frequencies of the spark when looked at as they were generated in a series (see Traces 3 and 5 above), the bulk of the frequencies seen were below 20,000 Hertz, or 20 KHz (or Sigma plus the Average Value). When looking at an individual component of a spark series, the bulk of the frequencies were below the 2,000,000 Hertz or 2 MHz range.

Interpretation of Results: The value of 30 to 50,000 volts measured in Tom's report is consistant with the spark length often seen in a Violet Wand, i.e., about 1/2-inch. (It takes approximatly 25,000 volts for every 1/4-inch of spark gap in free air.)

The remaining issue is the frequency results. Are the bulk of the frequencies below 20,000 Hz or 2,000,000 Hz? One of the things about test instrument computing programs in determineing statistical analyses is a function of the sampling time. Thus the longer the time base of the trace (horizontal, i.e., left-to-right, axis) the calculated frequencies tend to be lower. Thus for the single burst traces (traces 3 and 5), the frequencies would tend to be higher. Thus for the multipul burst traces (traces 2 and 4), the frequencies would tend to be lower.

So, what's that mean as to the frequency content of a Violet Wand spark? Seeing as it is rather difficult, if not impossible, to get single burst sparks. Most of the operation of Violet Wands is prolonged spark bursts. Thus it would be expected that for that operation the frquencies most likely seen would be below 20,000 Hz.

The implication of this is that it additionally tends to remove support for the "Skin Effect due to high frequencies" proponents. (See 'Skin Effect': It doesn't apply in Violet Wands) The available frequencies normally seen in Violet Wand operation just aren't high enough to make 'Skin Effect' work (unless you happen to be 60,000 feet or more tall).

Layout of this page © by Uncle Abdul, April, 2003 . The preparer of the report and oscilloscope traces contained therein reserves the rights to his material. No copies--hardcopy or electronic-- of this page may be made without expressed, written permission of Uncle Abdul. This material is presented for informational purposes only. In the nature of a textbook Uncle Abdul requests comments on omissions and errors that a reader may find contained herein. Uncle Abdul can be contacted at UncleAbdul@gMail.com.