Tesla coil

[Maker]

In arc welders? According to Wikipedia :

Today, small Tesla coils are used as leak detectors in scientific high vacuum systems and igniters in arc welders...

Is this true? Do some welders really have tesla coils in them?

My money is definitely on no but I'd love it to be true.

I might go pulling apart some welders If so.

 

[Fazerruss]

Probably referring to the HF circuit in tig welders

 

[TurtleDude]

Wiki woo Des Kay seems to agree.

Tesla coil circuits were used commercially in sparkgap radio transmitters for wireless telegraphy until the 1920s,[1][9][10] and in electrotherapy and pseudomedical devices such as violet ray. Today, although small Tesla coils are used as leak detectors in scientific high vacuum systems[8] and igniters in arc welders..

If so, they should make them with glass cases so we can watch the pretty pink lightening!

 

[Fazerruss]

I use mine to annoy the wife. It interferes with the WiFi and stops her looking on face ache.

 

[Richard.]

Probably referring to the HF circuit in tig welders

Would be my guess also

 

[Maker]

I thought it was too good to be true. Could it mean they have an air core step up transformer for the HF?

 

[AndyStobbs]

I thought it was too good to be true. Could it mean they have an air core step up transformer for the HF?

No or at least not on mine.

The HV is generated on a conventional iron core step up, but is superimposed on the actual welding wire by mutual inductance.

 

[RamLev]

5V USB Portable Tesla Coil