Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!decwrl!sun!pitstop!sundc!seismo!uunet!mfci!colwell
From: colwell@mfci.UUCP (Robert Colwell)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Help me build a "Static Simulator"?
Keywords: static shock
Message-ID: <657@m3.mfci.UUCP>
Date: 22 Feb 89 14:12:23 GMT
References: <8724@dasys1.UUCP> <577@xroads.UUCP>
Sender: colwell@mfci.UUCP
Reply-To: colwell@mfci.UUCP (Robert Colwell)
Distribution: na
Organization: Multiflow Computer Inc., Branford Ct. 06405
Lines: 34

In article <577@xroads.UUCP> wiz@xroads.UUCP (Mike Carter) writes:
>In article <8724@dasys1.UUCP>, gts@dasys1.UUCP (G. T. Samson) writes:
>> Basically, what I want to do is build a circuit that simulates the
>> "zap", or spark, you get when you drag your sock-clad feet around
>> on a carpeted floor in the wintertime, then touch something that's
>> grounded.  Unfortunately, the only thing I know about the "zap" is
>> that it's a very high-voltage, low-current thing.
>>
>Greg; If you're indeed interested in High Voltage experiments I suggest
>firstly obtaining a book about TESLA coils from your local library.
>What its appears you wanted is a STATIC generator, or Van De Gram Generator.
>Such devices are very DANGEROUS. It's not the actual shock that could kill
>you, it's your reaction to the jolt. High Static discharges can also pose
>a health hazzard. A Van De Graff Generator is nothing to stick your finger
>into. 

I second what Mike says about safety.  If you plan to be careful, here's
a couple more thoughts.  When I was little, I had a Van de Graf generator,
a small one that was hand-cranked.  It was about a foot high, and we had
loads of fun with it.  (Everybody sit in a circle holding hands, the one
on the end touching a metal vent or something.)  You could get sparks up
to 1" or so out of it.  Except for the classic "get shocked, jerk your
arm back, and ram your elbow into something hard" scenario, I think it
was relatively safe.

If you're into BIG sparks, you could track down the guys at the Univ. of
Pgh. who had a lightning simulator built of a huge rack of capacitors
back in the mid '70's.  Now *there* was electrical energy to stay away
from.

Bob Colwell               ..!uunet!mfci!colwell
Multiflow Computer     or colwell@multiflow.com
175 N. Main St.
Branford, CT 06405     203-488-6090