
Does the spark gap in a Tesla Coil need to be before or after the capacitors?
I'm building a Tesla Coil for a science project and I was looking at wiring diagrams and I keep seeing ones with the spark gap before the caps and other ones with it after the caps. Does it matter? I'm using a neon sign transformer and planing to get it at 9000V and 30ma.
It depends on whether the capacitor is in series with the primary coil, or in parallel with it.
If the cap is in series with the primary, then the spark gap must be across the output of the neon transformer, 'before' the capacitor.
If the cap is in parallel with the primary, the spark gap should go in between the cap and the primary to interrupt the tank circuit. This method is preferrable if you have a current limited transformer (as is the neon transformer).
If you had a non-current-limited transformer the first method is preferrable.
.
Whats On My YouTube Today?
Capacitors - Fixing an LCD computer monitor
Here Are A Few Items From Amazon You Might Be Interested In.
![]() Boss CAP2S 2 Farad Capacitor (Silver) List Price: Sale Price: $25.62 You save: $59.33 (70%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss Audio Cap20 20 Farad Power Capacitor, Black Chrome List Price: Sale Price: $71.85 You save: $151.15 (68%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP2B 2 Farad Capacitor (Black) List Price: Sale Price: $25.62 You save: $58.38 (70%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP10 10 Farad Capacitor List Price: Sale Price: $51.80 You save: $130.20 (72%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Sound Storm Laboratories CAP350B 3.5 Farad Capacitor with Digital Voltmeter, Black Graphic List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP35 Farad Digital Hybrid Capacitor with Blue Illumination List Price: Sale Price: $82.08 You save: $215.92 (72%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP2R 2 Farad Capacitor (Red) List Price: Sale Price: $23.88 You save: $60.12 (72%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP3.5R 3.5 Farad Capacitor (Red) List Price: Sale Price: $29.55 You save: $82.45 (74%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Power Acoustik 2.0 Farad Digital Power Capacitor List Price: Sale Price: Too low to display Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Boss CAP4C 4 Farad Capacitor (Chrome) List Price: Sale Price: $39.09 You save: $99.86 (72%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!
Tags: electronics, capacitor, capacitors, caps


















































































Eligible for free shipping!








