Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-sdd!hp-pcd!hpcvca!scott
From: scott@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM (Scott Linn)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Anyone know about arc generators? `ffzzapp'
Message-ID: <3340007@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM>
Date: 31 Jan 90 16:08:52 GMT
References: <5237@vax1.tcd.ie>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Oregon
Lines: 22

/ hpcvca:sci.electronics / jfsenior@vax1.tcd.ie (K.) /  9:18 am  Jan 29, 1990 /

>Can anyone give me DETAILS of how to build an arc generator, such as is seen
>in science fiction film of the 30/40's etc.
>
>            This is the sort of thing I mean:-
>                                              o    ^   o
>                                               \  ^ ^ /
>                                                \^   /
>                                                 \  /
>                                                  \/
>                                                ------

Well I can't give you exact DETAILS, but I can shed some light.  It is usually
called a Jacobs' Ladder.  It can be easily built using a transformer used for
driving neon tube displays.  Simply attach some rods at the appropriate spacing
and angle to the transformer, and you have it.  Spacing is empirical; don't
zap yourself!

Scott Linn
scott@hpcvcbh
HP - Northwest IC Division