Electrical arc interaction

[NMajik]

OK, lets say you have two high voltage systems (like neon sign transformers) that are isolated from each other. If you set it up so the outputs were arranged like this:

...-

-.....+

...+

So two arcs are forming one between each pair of outputs.

Would the arcs avoid each other or merge?

(Lets assume that the outputs are identical in every way)

[YT2095]

electricity will always take the shortest path, and since the + and - from the 2 sources are closer you`ll get 2 arcs at the same time paralel to each other.

you`ll not get X type of arc because the + and - on the diagonal is further appart.

[Externet]

Hi.

If I understand the graphic, the high voltage sources being paired in diagonals, the double arcing will occur in cross fashion, as sources are independent.

 

Very good question, I suspect there will be collision of the arcs. No attraction, no repulsion, just crossing paths sharing a central point.

 

Start edit, adding : <Re-thinking,... each arc creates a magnetic field which would affect the crossing point position of each other by forced deflection, and the polarity would determine if one arc passes above or under the other on direct current.

Then there would be repulsion or attraction due to magnetic and not to electric fields.

If alternating current, there would be a alternating cross path above and under.

A similar behavior is an oscilloscope in x/y mode. Vertical defflection plates do not affect horizontal deflection plates electrically.> end edit

 

Perfectly controlled conditions to do the experiment may be unstable. Please come back with observations.

 

Another similar situation could be a neon tube cross, with independently powered straight arms.

Miguel

[BenSon]

I agree with YT unless there was somekind of X shape insulator that would stop the arc from forming to the closer pole then they would not interesct but rather run parallel...

 

~Scott

[Externet]

Hmmmm.

 

Naming as a compass the points on the drawing to have some reference...

 

Being N&S an independent voltage source from W&E ; the positive S is such only respect to negative N.

The positive S has no potential respect to either W & E and no arcing should occur in that direction.

Miguel

[BenSon]

Well the original post said that the poles were equal in everyway so the potenial difference through either of the positive poles East and South is equal to the potential diff to both negative poles Weat and North seeing as though North has the same potential to both positive poles east and south it will arc to the closer one east...

 

~Scott