Can a high-Vdc power supply be an electrostatic generator?

[uby]

Hello all,

I am interested in placing a static charge on a conductor by means of an electrical circuit. One way to do this is by means of a Van de Graaff generator which uses the triboelectric effect to generate net charges, then places them onto two conductors having equal but opposite charges. For example, connecting a conductor to the metal sphere at the top of a typical Van de Graaff generator would result in charging of that conductor to the same potential as the sphere.

I'd like to perform the same experiment using a device without moving parts, if possible. I have a high voltage DC power supply available: is there any way this can be used as an electrostatic generator to place equal but opposite charges on two identical conductors?

Thanks!

 

[anorlunda]

Yes, any DC supply can do that. I think you have the misconception that you must have high voltage, to achieve a charge. Any DC voltage, even a AA, battery puts a nonzero charge on one terminal relative to the other terminal.