"The Machine": Jacob's Ladder (high voltage arc generator) prop

[trekiegirl]

we have one of thoughs at work, very cool wicked device indeed.

[godlessdustin]

Sweet, asid from looking cool, what is it good for?

[neothespian]

@godlessdustin

Not really much It's more a physics experiment by controlling a "short" over a distance. When you hook up the ends of the electrodes to the transformer, potential voltage exists between them. The air in between the electrodes acts as a dielectric. When the potential becomes great enough the power from the transformer overcomes the dielectric and jumps, turning the air between into plasma, which rises and causes the arc to rise as well until the gap becomes too great to connect