would a tesla coil induced spark to a nearby power line cause catastrophe?

[Rob Lucas]

Suppose that an arc from my tesla coil leaped approx ten feet to one
of the un-insulated conductors on a nearby utility pole (carrying
single phase 120VAC).

Obviously this would probably destroy most sensitive electronics
within my neighbors' homes. But would it also (due to the
ionization/breakdown of the air) induce a standing arc from phase to
ground or phase-to-phase on the utility pole?

Perhaps a more realistic scenario would be an arc from the coil
hitting an electrical outlet in my garage. Could this induce a
sustained arc from phase to ground inside the outlet box? (of course
this wouldnt be too bad since the 15 amp circuit breaker would pop
soon). Just something to ponder, thanks for any insites.

 

[AZ Nomad]

Suppose that an arc from my tesla coil leaped approx ten feet to one
of the un-insulated conductors on a nearby utility pole (carrying
single phase 120VAC).

Obviously this would probably destroy most sensitive electronics
within my neighbors' homes. But would it also (due to the
ionization/breakdown of the air) induce a standing arc from phase to
ground or phase-to-phase on the utility pole?

Perhaps a more realistic scenario would be an arc from the coil
hitting an electrical outlet in my garage. Could this induce a
sustained arc from phase to ground inside the outlet box? (of course
this wouldnt be too bad since the 15 amp circuit breaker would pop
soon). Just something to ponder, thanks for any insites.

Your telsla coil would have about as much effect on the
power grid as stroking a cat would have on the lights in the next
room.

 

[Eeyore]

Your telsla coil would have about as much effect on the
power grid as stroking a cat would have on the lights in the next
room.

Don't underestimate cats !

Graham

 

[Tom Bruhns]

Suppose that an arc from my tesla coil leaped approx ten feet to one
of the un-insulated conductors on a nearby utility pole (carrying
single phase 120VAC).

Obviously this would probably destroy most sensitive electronics
within my neighbors' homes. But would it also (due to the
ionization/breakdown of the air) induce a standing arc from phase to
ground or phase-to-phase on the utility pole?

Perhaps a more realistic scenario would be an arc from the coil
hitting an electrical outlet in my garage. Could this induce a
sustained arc from phase to ground inside the outlet box? (of course
this wouldnt be too bad since the 15 amp circuit breaker would pop
soon). Just something to ponder, thanks for any insites.

With any luck at all, it would do more damage to your coil than to the
power lines or to your neighbors' "sensitive electronics." Can your
coil handle 500 amps or so? What gauge wire is it wound with? What is
its impedance at 60Hz?

You could do an experiment to see if you could get the 120V mains to
maintain an arc across over half an inch gap. Since fuses shorter than
that don't seem to have any trouble breaking a 120V circuit, I suspect
not, unless you carbonized the plastic..

Delusions of grandeur?

Cheers,
Tom

 

[Jan Panteltje]

Suppose that an arc from my tesla coil leaped approx ten feet to one
of the un-insulated conductors on a nearby utility pole (carrying
single phase 120VAC).

Obviously this would probably destroy most sensitive electronics
within my neighbors' homes.

Probably not, the mains is a low impedance.

But would it also (due to the
ionization/breakdown of the air) induce a standing arc from phase to
ground or phase-to-phase on the utility pole?

Ionised path are conductive.
That says it all.
Now where the electrons go depends on who pushes the most.

You high impedance side of the tesla coil would make a great heater.