LESSON SIXTEEN. THE OSCILLATION CONDENSER.
The Oscillation Condenser might almost be termed the most important part of a wireless station.
Transmitting Condensers usually take the form of a battery of Leyden jars arranged in a suitable case or container. Very often they are placed in a tank of oil to eliminate brush discharges or leakage which takes place from the edges of the tinfoil.
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Leyden jars are usually covered with very heavy tinfoil or thin sheet copper to prevent blistering. The best method, however, is to deposit a metallic covering electrolytically.
The principle objection to Leyden jars is their bulk.
Glass plate condensers are not so bulky or expensive and do not blister.
Plate condensers are sometimes merely placed in racks, but more often in a tank of oil to eliminate all brush discharges.
Condensers are always made so as to be adjustable in order that the capacity of the circuit may be carefully regulated.
Only the finest selected glass of the greatest dielectric strength is used in making condensers, in order to avoid all losses and possibility of breakdown.
Whenever condensers must withstand a very heavy voltage, they may be connected in series so that the voltage is divided between them and the strain is not so great. This method reduces the capacity just one-half, however, and when used requires four times as many plates or jars, as the case may be, than if they were connected in one multiple set.