Is it ok if coil wraps touch each other

[raavysaavy]

I am wondering if it is ok that coils touch each other.

If 1 or 2 coil wraps are touch each other, or slightly touching each other, and the rest of the wraps are spaced apart, will this be bad?

Or do all need to be spaced apart, or all need to be touching if that makes sense?

I just want to see if it's a big deal that wraps of a coil might be touching each other or not.

I know that you don't want the coil to touch the sides or base, just wondering if it's ok that they touch each other a little bit.

Thanks

 

[eyerhere]

In an old style standard coIl one touching is bad, thats a short. in a newer style microcoil or macro coil they all touch each other and it works great.

 

[Baditude]

If building an open spaced coil, a hot spot or short can occur should one loop touch another. Only a specific loop or spot glows while under power. This is not good.

hotspot (click image to enlarge)

If you build a "microcoil", the loops are intentionally compressed together so all loops are touching. This allows for more uniform heat dispersion and less chance for hotspots.

microcoil

 

[raavysaavy]

Thanks for the help, that is exactly what I was wondering!

One other thing I was wondering about.

Should the legs of the coil glow red from the post out to the coil? Or just the coil glow orange and the legs will stay normal?

 

[Baditude]

The legs should not glow. A perfect coil will begin to glow from inside out, or rather from the middle outward.

If a leg glows it is called a hot leg.

 

[raavysaavy]

Thank you for your help and all the great info. Appreciate it very much!