Experiment with high voltage that can show arcs / stun human

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around experiments with high voltage, specifically focusing on the modification of an electric swatter to enhance its performance and the implications of high voltage arcs. Participants explore technical aspects of the device, including rectification methods and voltage measurements, while also addressing safety concerns related to high voltage experimentation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in modifying an electric swatter, questioning the effectiveness of its half-wave rectifier and suggesting a switch to a full-wave rectifier with a diode bridge.
  • Another participant notes the discrepancy in voltage measurements, reporting 400 volts DC and 1000 volts AC, and seeks clarification on the presence of both AC and DC voltages in the device.
  • A participant mentions the presence of a large capacitor in the swatter and suggests that adding more capacitors in parallel could enhance the spark output.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of experimenting with high voltages, particularly regarding the potential creation of a stun gun, and the discussion is redirected towards safer alternatives like Tesla coils.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the dangers of high voltage experimentation and the importance of electrical safety, but there is no consensus on the technical modifications proposed for the electric swatter or the implications of the voltage measurements.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the rectification process and the nature of the voltage measurements, indicating a need for further clarification on electrical concepts and safety practices.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring high voltage experiments, electrical engineering enthusiasts, and those concerned with safety in electrical projects.

leonar
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I'm very interested in Experiment with high voltage that can show arcs.
I also like to modify my swatter ( electric racket to kill mosquito/ flies), it is made in china.

About the swatter:
-It has only one diode at the secondary winding of the trafo, ithink this is for rectifying the ac that produce by the trafo and make dc so the power can be stored in the huge capasitor. But ithink the rectifier is not good enough, it's half wave rectifier. How if we change it to full wave rectifier with diode bridge?

-I've measured the voltage of this swater. I get about 400 volt DC when i use DC measuring with my multitester, but when i measure in ac i get about 1000 volt ac. Can anybody explain this? Why there is ac and dc volt?

-There's huge capacitor in the secondary winding at the trafo. This ceramic caps add more sparks when we short the iron at the racket. Do you know about the capacity and the working voltage of this huge caps? I think it's a good idea to add more caps like this and parallel them with this caps to add more sparks
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
leonar said:
-I've measured the voltage of this swater. I get about 400 volt DC when i use DC measuring with my multitester, but when i measure in ac i get about 1000 volt ac. Can anybody explain this? Why there is ac and dc volt?

Sorry I can't help you with more, but if you are rectifying the transformer signal you will get a DC value always (I assume you are confused why there is a DC voltage). DC in the frequency spectrum corresponds to the average value of the AC voltage, so naturally a rectified signal will have some nonzero average value.
 
Anyone can help me please?
 
leonar, we are not going to help you experiment with building your own stun gun for humans. Besides the danger to yourself, working with high voltages and obviously not understanding the basics of electricity and electrical safety, there is the issue of what you intend to do with it.

A better approach if you just want big pretty arcs is to look at Tesla coils:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_coil

You can get help with many things here on the PF, but helping you to make weapons, even if it's just for fooling around, that is something that we do not do.

Thread locked.
 

Similar threads

Resistive heating power AC vs rectified AC/DC
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Soldering iron, need higher voltage
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
2-stage voltage multiplier question
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Describing the voltage out of a rectifier
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
3 phase high current ripple suppression
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Need help raising the voltage on a power supply that I am making.
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Question about power supply output parasitics (scope shots attached)
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
Tube amp power supply question
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
How can you really mess up in amateur electronics?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
How Can I Create a High Voltage Arc with Capacitors and Transformers?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K