inductance (ESL) and resistance (ESR).

I can only join kilovolt. The dielectric losses of the capacitors are too big.
I have here a few readings of a cascade at 50 Hz alternating voltage.
1st stage 284V
.
.
.
11 level 67V
12 level 55V
I did experience the HV electrical  much less shoot, when a 20 cm-long, thin cable (Krokostrippe) the Funkenstecke is from.
Already this inductance can significantly reduce apparently the peak current.
I.e. the current flow is very briefly < 1 µs, maybe some Nanosek. and do not necessarily re suggests the volume on the power or voltage. Judging the tension likely to the stroke width.
Wenns to pop, then must be a capacity directly close to the spark gap. It would be better to give a German name which reasonably familiar also without wiki: inductance (ESL) and resistance (ESR).

While the electrical resistance attenuates especially the condenser POPs of the lower voltages (current limit), the inductance is capacitor POPs of higher voltages to the main shock (the amperage increases ever more slowly with increasing inductance, so that the Kondernsator with high inductance is already discharged before the existing electrical resistance possible maximum current is reached)

Both can browse reduce cable as short as possible. If you HV capacitors in addition to make sure that the cables make so little curves and rings as possible. Every kink, every corner and especially each loop is noticeable at high voltages. For low-voltage capacitors (see 2000 volts) should I take the thickest copper in cables, what kind there, because you can tell because differences quite ordinary. At voltages below 200 volts it is worth if necessary also over the purchase of a meter's extremely thick cable thinking about (5 to 10 mm). In so deep tensions, also the connections are carefully carry out! The line from the end of the (stacked) cascade levels to the output terminal is an approximately 40 cm long 60KV Hochspannungsprüfleitung with 4 mm² Querschintt because I found no suitable implementation insulator, by about 30 cm round PTFE material goes with 10 cm in diameter. To the departure terminal from aluminium flat material which as part of the spark gap a doorknob by measuring 50 mm and the antithesis of an automatic proceeding are located.
The Earth is the case of makes and charge only slightly for losses.
I have two 50mm balls as a spark gap of which the grounded is movable to close based on the width of the stroke around on the voltage. I tried that with about 15 m high-voltage underground cable for 30/60KV. The core of the high voltage and the braid to Earth. That pops up a side note already properly, let me which actually eigentlichne question has nothing to do with the, here yet ;-) 43 steps are unfavourable for a cascade, even if the frequency is set relatively high.

Because it is not entirely my own project, I had to with what the RS catalog is satisfied. Therefore, MKP capacitors with 5 UF4007 diodes connected in series are connected capacitors per two 10nF/1600V.
A counter clock Converter takes over the supply of 24 ~ 3500V/75 kHz, which more than once headaches has prepared exploded Transitioren and other problems me due to isolation problems, multiple whipped through secondary windings,.

I would do the whole thing again (may: mrgreen:), would an ignition coil with an output voltage limited to 20KV take over the supply, 5-6 cascade levels fueling.

If someone a source for matching capacitors and diodes which I can pay from its own resources, I would be for tips gratefully.
Again the energy that in a capacitor is: I can not really imagine the Joule. I can imagine about 1KWh, but Joule can be somewhat difficult to grasp for me. Hence my original question. 1 Joule ist eine Wattsekunde. 3600000 Wattsekunden sind eine kWh.

Teile also einfach die Joules durch 3600000 und du hast die Energie in kWh ( J / 3600000 = kWh.

Hoffe ich HV testing etwas licht ins Dunkel bringen ;) .