Why don't coils short out?

[PapaSloth]

So, I have a question. When you make a kanthal coil and squeeze it together, why doesn't electricity travel across the coil instead of through it? Is it because the contact area between each loop in the coil is so small, or because of oxidazation of the wire, or is there something else going on?

Thanks!

 

[CastleRat]

Kanthal wire contains aluminum - when heated it creates an insulating layer.

 

[PapaSloth]

Kanthal wire contains aluminum - when heated it creates an insulating layer.

Thanks! I also just found this thread: micro coils - Kanthal "voodoo" - why coils don't short out.

 

[crxess]

Actually if you could HOLD the wraps together it would Drop way low in resistance - still not a short.
Heat causes corrosion and expansion so everything tends to move and not make conductive contact.

Now, touch the wrong side to ground - POP! Did this, accidentally, Twice today. Very frustration when setting up a Quad coil.

First was a short Kanthal tail I didn't see had landed on a leg.
Second I was making an adjustment during burn-in and accidentally depressed the UN-LOCKED mod

I think it is time to start using my magnifying Visor on all builds

 

[Chris405]

Actually if you could HOLD the wraps together it would Drop way low in resistance - still not a short.
Heat causes corrosion and expansion so everything tends to move and not make conductive contact.

Now, touch the wrong side to ground - POP! Did this, accidentally, Twice today. Very frustration when setting up a Quad coil.

First was a short Kanthal tail I didn't see had landed on a leg.
Second I was making an adjustment during burn-in and accidentally depressed the UN-LOCKED Mod

I think it is time to start using my magnifying Visor on all builds

This came to mind when i read this....

 

[dice57]

I have a jewelers eye piece for checking out my builds, wire traps and ensuring there are no shorts. Hate popping coils, especially when you are just doing the squeeze tuning, and then woops, pushed it to close, damn, that was going to be purrfect, except for that one little touch

 

[AndriaD]

I could not possibly mount a coil without my magnifying visor from Harbor Freight. I probably look like a big doofus in it, but it works *great*.

Andria

 

[EBates]

Hate to admit it but yeah a trip to HF is in order. Night before last I had to redo a coil on my Kayfun three times before I got it working.

 

[HecticEnergy]

Never popped a coil... But I'm .... about my builds.
Make sure everything is tight and no loose leads or stray wires touching where they shouldn't!

 

[crxess]

Never popped a coil... But I'm .... about my builds.
Make sure everything is tight and no loose leads or stray wires touching where they shouldn't!

So do we........................when we see them.

Getting old has its rewards, yea right.

 

[HecticEnergy]

So do we........................when we see them.

Getting old has its rewards, yea right.

Sorry... I'm only 30 years young... Not due for an oil change just yet... Vision is still decent, and hopefully will last longer now that I'm not smoking the stinkies!

 

[PapaSloth]

I'm old too, but fortunately there's a Harbor Freight nearby. I'll have to get one of those magnifying visors as well.