Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cwsys2!dkazdan
From: dkazdan@cwsys2.cwru.edu (David Kazdan)
Subject: Re: Anyone know about arc generators? `ffzzapp'
Message-ID: <1990Feb1.144201.12602@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>
Summary: REPEAT:  BE CAREFUL
Keywords: Death
Sender: David Kazdan, M.D. (dkazdan@cwsys2.cwru.edu)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University Dept. of Systems Engineering
References: <5237@vax1.tcd.ie> <286@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM> <1990Jan31.155511.20128@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> <1141@carroll1.cc.edu>
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 14:42:01 GMT

In article <1141@carroll1.cc.edu> dnewton@carroll1.cc.edu (Dave Newton the Late) writes:
>In article <1990Jan31.155511.20128@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> dkazdan@cwsys2.UUCP (David Kazdan, M.D.) writes:
>>>transformer.   I have a 12kv, 30ma transformer which does the job nicely.
>>CAUTION:  LETHAL DEVICE.
>
>   Not necessarily--I've been zapped by tesla's and other low-current/high-
>voltage&frequency devices before.  One threw me across a basement (Dave, why
>are you on the laundry table?) but I'm still alive.  Decidedly uncomfortable.
>

I don't mean to be a killjoy, but neon sign transformers are ***not***
low-current devices (Tesla coils are).  They will source 30 mA without any
problem and will do so at over ten kilovolts.  That is cardiac standstill
and a nasty frying fat smell when the body is found.

BTW, I have a surplus neon sign transformer and have been meaning to get
around to building a Jacob's ladder with it.  What's a good insulator
to use for the base?

73,

--David