current discharges not infinite

Assuming there is no resistance,
The governing equation during a current discharge is:

I = E/(L/C)^.5

I = Initial Current in Amps
E= Voltage in Volts
L= Inductance in Henries
C= Capacitance in Farads

Now, L may be small but NOT zero, since it is defined by the loop of the
high voltage wiring and circuit to the tube, and capaticance is small.
Current will always be limited. Go ahead and do the math.

I = E/R can be used to approximate the peak current in the system when the
resistance is large.

If the current was in hundreds of thousands of amps, you would consistently
blow out the diodes and the wiring would exceed the maximum theoretical
limit of current carrying capability and de-stabilize instantly.

-James

P.S. - The reason for this description is that this paragraph is
fundamentally wrong:

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An instantaneous discharge of potential, although the CRT is fed mere
milliamps of current, by definition is a discharge nearing infinite
amperage. I know it sounds odd, but by definition an instantaneous change
from one potential to another (taking "NO" time) involves the release of
infinite amperage. Now, since this is impossible (everything takes time -
the speed of light is finite), a 'virtually instantaneous' release therefore
approaches this amount. By using a bleeder resistor, you extend the
discharge over several seconds, minimizing the amperage released. It also
keeps the flyback from causing a huge backlash of current as the field
within the transformer collapses.

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Received on Tue Apr 25 00:40:59 2000