Why isn’t this Tesla coil working?

[berkeman]

I will not connect directly into the AC mains but I was planning on using the 120 volts that is standard in most outlets using a proper transformer that I have acquired.

It's good that you plan to use a transformer to isolate the AC Mains connection from your application circuit. But you still did not address the Line/Neutral question, the Switch question, or the Fuse question that I asked. That's worrisome for me.

The connected wire will be double insulated and will have a three prong connection in the outlet.

The wire insulation is only a small part of the safety aspects of using such a power source. If your transformer is doubly-insulated and you use other proper construction techniques, then the 3-prong power cord is not needed. If you use a singly-insulated power supply design, then you generally will need to use a 3-prong power cord and attach the Earth Ground wire to your project in some very particular ways.

I would recommend that you just use a pre-made 120V/24VAC transformer that already has appropriate UL safety approvals (or other agency approvals, depending on where you live). That is by far the best approach for your early electronics projects, until you can find a local Mentor to help you with safety aspects of higher-voltage AC Mains based projects. You can use such a packaged transformer for many of your DIY projects going forward. They are available in many power levels at reasonable prices.

https://cdn3.volusion.com/czamo.vpczb/v/vspfiles/photos/115-24VAC1000-4.jpg?1492079340

 

[Aidan345733]

I believe I have the power source problem is mostly dealt with but there is still the concern on what MOSFET to use, it must be high power and extremely fast switching, and how much I’m expecting to need the resistor to stand up to without burning. I will definitely consult a local professional for all upcoming projects that involve electrics.

 

[anorlunda]

We can't expect DIY projects to meet the same standards as professional laboratories or work shops. But neither should we offer advice to DIY projects that may cause injury or worse.

The primary safeguard is to see that the DIY project has oversight from an experienced mentor. Sometimes, local hobby clubs can provide that.

The first thing that the mentor can do is to compare the skills of the hobbyist with the intrinsic dangers of the project. In a case such as this one, I would advise the OP to abandon the Tesla Coil project, and to choose a less risky one.

The second thing for the mentor is to look for the many ways that things can go wrong and to suggest to the hobbyist ways to avoid them or to mitigate them.

Online public discussions with strangers is no substitute for a face-to-face relationship with a mentor.

So, I'm going to enforce PF's rule forbidding public discussion of dangerous topics. Thread closed.