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rf8221
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2

Electrical Circuits and Air

09/15/2009 11:46 AM

I'm not a scientist, but have an important problem I'm trying to solve. Unfortunately for one reason or another I can't go into too much detail on the reason but I can describe the generalities of the problem.

The setup:

If you had a simple electrical circuit. The circuit is broken by two thin flexible metal plates 2-5cm appart, designed so that when pressure is put on the upper metal plate it moves down to complete the circuit. The circuit is buried in the gound shallow enough that the weight of a man on the upper metal plate would complete the circuit.

The Question:

Would it be theoretically possible to create a charge through the 2-5cm of air to complete the circuit. This would need to be done whilst the circuit was still in the ground.
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This discussion was "closed" on 09/15/2009 12:02 PM. No new comments are allowed.
charsley99
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New Jersey U.S.A.
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#1

Re: Creating an electrical circuit through air

09/15/2009 11:51 AM

Why does this sound so much like an IED. and your searching for a way to remote detonate. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS FOR! Then we might assist you. Then again we may not.

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rf8221
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Creating an electrical circuit through air

09/15/2009 11:59 AM

Ok you got me. That obvious.

I'm currently sat in a tent in the middle of the desert on down time from my actual role as a combat engineer trying to think of ways to solve this problem an save some lives.
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RVZ717
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Join Date: Oct 2008
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Posts: 2056
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#3

Re: Creating an electrical circuit through air

09/15/2009 12:00 PM

"Would it be theoretically possible to create a charge through the 2-5cm of air to complete the circuit."

Theoretically yes, increase the voltage to the point it arcs across the contacts through the air, like a spark plug.

Realistically no, the amount of voltage required to travel across the gap would not be usable, or good for the rest of the system.

Unfortunately there is no way I could even point you in the right direction, as I cannot go into detail.

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This discussion was "closed" on 09/15/2009 12:02 PM. No new comments are allowed.
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charsley99 (1); rf8221 (1); RVZ717 (1)

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