Luminaires plasma
High-frequency (about 35 kHz) alternating current at 25 kV drives them.
What is the energy content of a plasma ball?
Plasma is the most common form of matter in the universe, defined by the Southwest Research Institute as “a hot ionized gas containing roughly equal quantities of positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons,” and is classified as a fourth state of matter separate from solid, liquid, and gaseous matter. A plasma ball is essentially a tiny Tesla coil encased within a glass ball containing an inert gas such as neon or argon, channeling an alternating voltage of about 2-5 kilovolts at a frequency of around 30 Hertz.
How much energy does a plasma ball use?
A plasma ball uses the same amount of energy as an oil change. Small novelty plasma balls can be created using a few thousand volts and a low safe amperage. Larger, thick-walled globes used in museum exhibitions typically require upwards of 30,000 V to generate ideal streamers.
Is it possible to keep a plasma ball on all night?
Is it possible to leave a plasma ball on for an extended amount of time? This isn’t a problem with most plasma balls, and you should be able to leave them on for as long as you want. This is usually the case with plasma balls, as they don’t catch fire as easily as you might think.
What is the amp rating of a plasma ball?
Plasma balls commonly run at 2000V to 5000V (they don’t list the amps), according to Wikipedia and Softpedia. However, that level of power is sufficient to cause significant burns or even death.
Is static electricity used by a plasma ball?
A plasma ball’s electrode produces a high-frequency, high-voltage alternating electric current. This current passes through the plasma filaments, creating colorful light tendrils.
Is a Tesla coil a plasma ball?
Simple physics:
A plasma is a highly ionized gas that has been heated to extraordinary temperatures. The atoms are travelling so fast at these high temperatures that they lose their electrons, resulting in ionized particles. Electrons don’t want to be near each other because like charges repel each other. Positive ions, on the other hand, do not like to be near each other. We watch electrons and ionized particles leaping from one place to another in each of these examples (and in other plasmas like lightning) to try to get as far away from each other as possible.
The Specifics:
A tiny Tesla coil powers the plasma ball. A partial vacuum exists inside the glass globe. This just indicates that some air has been taken out. Because there is less air in there, it is simpler to create visible electric sparks. The electrons then leave the glass ball and move through the air. We know this because, like the big Tesla coil, the plasma ball illuminates the light bulb. If you come into contact with the plasma ball, all of the electrons will pass through you and into the earth. Only one large spark can be seen inside the ball where your hand is placed. If you hold it for long enough, you will be filled with electrons and will be able to ignite a light bulb!
Is it possible for a plasma ball to harm electronics?
When conductive materials or electronic gadgets are brought close to a plasma globe, the glass can become hot. Even through a protective glass shell, the high voltage radio frequency energy coupled to them from within the globe may produce a slight electric shock to the person touching it. Plasma lamps emit a radio frequency field that can interfere with touchpads on laptop computers, digital audio players, cell phones, and other similar devices. Some plasma globes can emit enough radio frequency interference (RFI) to interfere with cordless phones and Wi-Fi devices from a distance of several feet or meters.
Capacitive coupling can create enough potential on an electrical conductor that it produces a tiny arc if it hits the exterior of the globe. The globe’s glass functions as a capacitor dielectric, with the inside of the lamp acting as one plate and the conductive object on the exterior acting as the opposite capacitor plate. This is a risky action that can harm the globe or other electronic devices while also posing a fire hazard.
On the surface of a plasma globe, detectable levels of ozone can accumulate. Many people can detect ozone at quantities as low as 10 parts per million.
Is it possible that plasma balls be harmful?
Plasma balls are frequently used in school science laboratories to demonstrate the physics of electrical currents. They are made up of a thick clear glass spherical with a high voltage electrode (Tesla coil) in the middle. Under a partial vacuum, the sphere is filled with a mixture of inert gases such as neon, argon, xenon, and krypton and driven by a low-voltage power supply. As the gases inside the plasma ball ionize1, 2, 3, beams of colored light extend from the high voltage electrode to the outside glass sphere when the plasma ball is operational. Around the ball, an electromagnetic field is created, which declines with distance from the electrode4.
Plasma balls are generally considered to be safe gadgets; nonetheless, when working with any apparatus that generates an electric current, numerous precautions should be taken. Plasma balls are small sources of current, static charge, and electromagnetic waves that can be dangerous to some people and electrical gadgets. 4, 5, and 6 are the numbers.
- Make sure that no one with a cardiac ailment, a pacemaker, an implanted defibrillator, a cochlear implant, or a hearing aid touches the plasma ball3. A little current will transfer from the ball to earth through the body when it is touched with the hand. This current may cause medical electrical devices to malfunction. People with specialized medical gadgets should observe from a distance of at least two meters, according to one source. 7
- There will be a large quantity of heat generated if you leave your hand on the ball for any length of time.
- If you hold the ball with damp hands, you risk receiving a shock6.
- Electronic devices, such as cell phones and computers, should be kept away from an operational plasma ball since the frequencies emitted may interfere with their operation8.
- Before using a plasma ball, stay away from metal surfaces, metal objects, and any metal jewelry. A tiny static shock will be generated if you touch something metal while touching the ball6. Any metal object that comes into contact with the ball can quickly heat up, causing burns and fires8.
Some appropriate activities (while keeping in mind the preceding safety precautions) include:
- Examine the various designs that can be produced by placing:
- On the plasma ball, place one finger, all of your fingertips, or your entire palm.
- On the plasma ball, place your hands in various positions.
- Look at a fluorescent tube that is illuminating:
- Bring one end of a fluorescent tube’s glass section (NOT the metal cap) close to the plasma ball and gently rest the other end (NOT the metal cap) on it.
2″Plasma Ball Experiments,” University of Wisconsin Madison’s Wonders of Physics Traveling Outreach Program website, https://wonders.physics.wisc.edu/plasma-ball-experiments/ (2008)
5’Physics VanPlasma Ball,’ University of Illinois website, https://van.physics.illinois.edu/demos/Plasma%20Ball/Plasma%20Ball.php (As of August 2018, this was the most recent information available.)
6 Specialty Toys Direct. n.d. Plasma Globe Owner’s Guide, Specialty Toys Direct website, https://www.stdi.ca/amazon/plasma-globes/Plasma%20Globe%20Owners%20Guide%20-%20Web.pdf (Accessed August 2018)