Van de graaf options to increase reliability in humid areas.

[richie_rich]

Hi, I am trying to design an electrostatic generator that works well in high humidity. At the moment I'm looking at a van de graaf generator and covering the metal sphere with an insulator and only leaving a little bit exposed.

Is this safe? And will it increase the maximum charge?

My logic is that there is less surface area exposed to leak charge into the moist air as the insulator will prevent the charge from escaping.

Thanks for any help!

 

[DrZoidberg]

Covering the sphere with plastic foil is not going to help.
Moist air does not leak away charge much more quickly then dry air.
Read through the postings in this forum, there is plenty of information on VDG design there.
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/VanDeGraaffGenerator/info