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Re: electrical problems ??

To: mood@cortex.rad.unc.edu
Subject: Re: electrical problems ??
From: jab@netrix.com
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 15:03:00 +0500
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
> I keep hearing about low tension and high tension leads.  What does
> tension mean in an electrical context ? Does it  refer to the amount of
> amperage the wires conduct or am I barkin up the wrong tree ? Thanks for
> the suggestion.
> 
> Jon Moody 73 TR6

The tension is actually the voltage of the line.  The coil in the
ignition system steps the battery voltage up to several thousand volts
so that it can jump the gap of the sparkplug.  If my electrical theory isn't
too rusty, voltage is the difference of electron accumulation between two
points.  Current is the amount of electrons flowing past a given point
per unit time.  Tension is also the feeling you get when the flow of 
electrons heats the corrosion on the copper contacts enough that the
plastic surrounding the contacts melts into a smokey glob, the contacts
retreat from each other, and you are left without headlights on a moonless
night.  This is the best reason that I can think of for auxilliary lights!

-Jim.
76 TR7 Federal


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