Drawing Electric Arcs at 230 Volts

[Quentief]

Hi everyone :)

I open this discussion because I would like to know how electric arcs are able to be drawn.

Indeed, I have been told that it is perfectly possible to draw electric arcs at very low voltage, by simply putting in contact two electrodes and then drawing them apart. I wanted to try it by my own but it doesn't work and I would like to know why.

Actually, I have made a simple circuit which is consisting of an electric kettle plugged in the main 230 volt. Two electrodes are connected in series of this kettle. Indeed, I use the kettle as power resistance to limit the current. The electrodes are simply two iron nails.

I know this circuit is very dangerous, I do not approve it and I would not recommend to anyone to build it. But well,... it's a very simple circuit and very cheaper to make, so despite the risks I think it's pretty good way to make some tests. Anyway, I am very awareness of the risks and I am very careful.

So, the reason of this topic is simple : it doesn't work, I get only some sparks but nothing which looks like to an electric arc. Futhermore, I saw several videos where people claimed that this is perfectly possible to draw electric arcs at the main voltage (230 volts) :







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTDhKjJJh-s

Some of them say that I need to use a DC current, so I bought and wired a diodes bridge to rectify the signal, but I have the same result as before.
I don't understand how they do, but apparently it's possible. So the question is, what's wrong with my circuit ? If somebody have the answer, I'm more than interested! :)

Thanks in advance for your help :)

Postscript: sorry if my english is not perfect, actually I'm french

but I will try to do my best!

 

[nsaspook]

My goodness that looks dangerous.

It's easier to draw a good arc at ~220 volts with DC.

 

[Quentief]

Thanks for your reply nsaspook yes this is exactly what I am looking for but like I said it didn't work with my circuit, even if I use the diodes bridge. I suppose that's because I don't have a perfect DC current, it needs to be filtered. Please, could you tell me how can I design a coil or a capacitor in that purpose ?

 

[nsaspook]

Thanks for your reply nsaspook yes this is exactly what I am looking for but like I said it didn't work with my circuit, even if I use the diodes bridge. I suppose that's because I don't have a perfect DC current, it needs to be filtered. Please, could you tell me how can I design a coil or a capacitor in that purpose ?

Sorry, NO! I can't help you with this potentially dangerous experiment.

 

[anorlunda]

Thread closed. PF does not allow dangerous topics.

@Quentief , Please stop these dangerous experiements before you or someone else gets hurt. You can find plenty of videos on Youtube that show similar experiments carried out in safer laboratory conditions. Those videos can satisfy your curiosity.

@nsaspook and all other members, please note that you do us a disservice when you respond to topics like this rather than report them.