Adjustable Arc Tester - 15,000 volts

Be sure to turn up your sound! This is a simple device I built to test how far I can draw out an arc from a high voltage transformer. It has insulated wooden handles so the arc can be safely drawn manually while the circuit is still live. In this video, I'm testing it with 15,000 Volts AC at 60 milliamps. Watch how far I can draw out a flaming arc! At one point, you'll also hear a crackling corona wind right before the arc "strikes" (turn up your sound!). You'll see a spark jump and complete the circuit right before the arc forms. Watch how far 15,000 volts of alternating current can actually jump!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• arc
• arcing
• high
• voltage
• transformer
• ion
• ions
• corona

[DadHav]

Hello, What was your high voltage transformer for this experiment. 60ma current draw seems amazing.

John

[ct92404]

It's a 15kv neon sign transformer.

[DadHav]

I take it then it runs from 120v 60 hz. How do you think it would run from a PWM circuit at a higher frequency? I'm asking questions before seeing all your videos. I want to make a Tesla coil and have just started gathering information.

John

[ct92404]

Exactly, it runs directly from 120v AC. Neon transformers are great for high voltage experiments because they have core shunts to automatically limit current and so you can short it out without overloading it. If you draw an arc, it goes to a full load but it won't overload. And yeah, they work great for powering Tesla Coils but you just need to protect it from kickback and voltage spikes by using a safety gap.

[ct92404]

Well, I was just testing it right now.  I'm going to put some kind of measuring standard on the side, along the guide tracks. Maybe a ruler. I was glad I was able to find the distance where 15kv just begins to jump. That's a starting point.

and Jacob...I sound weird and geeky, eh?...thanks a lot! Yeah, I know I sound a little weird. I'm a little surprised at how I sound in videos sometimes too. I don't think I sound like this in real life.

[Theperfectme1]

How did you make that?

I was looking up stuff for my science project it has to be 8th grade level(8th grader) its an exit exam project.

Do you have any suggestion on what i should do

[DadHav]

It looks like you're having way to much fun. I'll watch the rest of your videos and maybe ask a few more questions then if you don't mind. Stop over to DadHav's channel some time.

John

[juniortore]

wow not many comments

[LoneOarman]

Tesla and Gray's Tube did the sparking inside of a conversion tube, claming the results to be thousands of times more energy out (OU).

[eximod]

Ha ha! Great fun! Cool! Sound weird? What? You sound 100 percent normal. Keep up the mad science! XD

[iv81]

900 watts of power moving through the air. Not bad.