Re: What to do with big capacitors?
 

Uh, I could be wrong, but I believe the "skin" effect applies in a more measurable amount when considering a homogeneous conductor. When considering a conductor with varying resistance- and also at work, I believe, in the steel-high conductance wire, electricity will flow through the path of least resistance. The skin effect is really not powerful enough to override the tendency of electricity to flow through low resistance areas in such a case. Like your soft, squishy insides!

Re: What to do with big capacitors?
 

It certainly is a very confusing issue. Here is another question though about cars and lighting strikes. Is that the skin effect?

Re: What to do with big capacitors?
 

Guys,
As I understand the skin effect, the higher voltage or the high frequency voltage causes such an elevated state at the atomic level that the atoms actually are trying to push apart, like charges repelling. In a conductor that naturally causes them to move farthest from the inside of the conductor or to the "skin". For many applications, the conductor has so little current flowing at the interior that it is actually made of pipe to save weight and material. High power tranmission coax is made this way. Common VHF transmitters use a 6-1/8 outer pipe and a 1-1/2 or 2" inner pipe with dry air as the dielectric and teflon spacers at regular intervals to hold everything in place. Since the human body is not a conductor in the true sense, it is difficult for the current to obtain the skin effect. What does occur in high voltage contact is current passes through the body at the least resistance points where there is a high volume of liquids. The liquids turn to steam and explode causing the current to seek a path in adjacent tissue. Eventually, as all moisture is turned to vapor, the tissue starts to burn causing a carbon path for the current to flow. In lightning strikes this occurs rapidly because of the intense pulse. Remember that a direct contact is not needed to cause injury or death. Because of the ground resistance, it is easy to have a lethal voltage develope between your legs as the current passes through the ground. Should you ever find yourself in a position where a power line has fallen and contacted the ground, DO NOT RUN! Keep your feet together, on the ground and shuffle away from the source. If you are with someone, don't touch them while moving away. If in danger of a lightning strike, crouch on the ground and keep yourself rolled in a ball until the danger passes. This will make you less likely of getting a direct strike or of serious injury from a nearby strike. Stay away from trees and the same explosive events occur from a strike and many injuries are a result of flying wood splinters.

In cars (as in airplanes) there is some debate as to what actually occurs. Many people believe that the conductive frame acts a Faraday Cage. You occassionally will see a Faraday Cage in old photos of Tesla experiments.

Re: What to do with big capacitors?
 

Ahh.. it makes sense now.. Thanks

Re: What to do with big capacitors?
 

I think the best example has to be the giant bird cage in the Science Musuem in Boston. In fact the original Van da Graaf generator resides there. You can effectively hold your hand on the inside of the metal posts as six feet electrical arcs strike the other side. I think the conducting spheres on the generator also doubled as a cage/office space for Faraday.