Tesla achieved high frequency currents through the use of a unique high frequency alternator, which consisted of a 30-inch steel disk with 384 poles and zigzag windings. This alternator, when operated at 3000 rpm, generated approximately 200 volts at frequencies ranging from 9600 to 10,000 Hz. Tesla's innovations laid the groundwork for later machines that could produce frequencies up to 30,000 Hz. Additionally, he utilized a spark gap LC transmitter, a resonant circuit that operates at its resonant frequency, further demonstrating his pioneering work in high frequency electrical systems.
PREREQUISITESElectrical engineers, historians of technology, students of physics, and anyone interested in the development of high frequency electrical systems and Tesla's contributions to the field.
His first experiments were with a unique new high frequency alternator [5]. This was made up of a steel disk 30 inches in diameter with 384 poles like the teeth of a cog that had zigzag windings on them. This disk revolved within a fixed ring that had 384 inductor poles. When this machine was turned at 3000 rpm, it produced about 200 volts at 9600 to 10,000 Hz. Tesla was the first man to work with such a device [6]. Later machines of somewhat different design produced up to 30,000 Hz.