Van de Graaf Generator

Van de Graaf Generator

Van de Graaf generator with salad bowl topload sphere.

Introduction

Always wanted to build one of these since high school. I started this project back in 1994, but it was

about four more years before I finally got around to finishing it. Basically, this Van de Graaf generator was

the precursor for the high voltage obsession that would a few years later ensue.

Update

In October 2003, I decided to upgrade my Van de Graaf generator. Although the stainless steel salad bowls which I used

as a sphere worked well, there was considerable corona leakage from outside edge of the bowls where they connected

together. To fix this, I purchased a professional made 14" sphere from Science First in NY for about $100.00. The results

were stunning. Output voltage from the sphere practically doubled and with it, the arcs as well. The device went from one

that gave off harmless discharges to one that now makes you think twice before attempting to draw an arc with your

hand or arm.

Nice six inch discharge to my hand. (Exposure time approx. 15 seconds)

More long arcs to my hand. The plastic soda cup lid laying on top of the sphere was used to help initially

create the electric field gradient necessary to channel a long arc.

More long arcs (Exposure time approx. 15 seconds)

The VDG in the classic "Hair-Raising" demo.

Long exposure of corona plume (5 inches) with my Canon D60

"The Hands of Frankenstein" (Long exposure 60 seconds)

Numerous arcs from the sphere to my hand (Long exposure 30 seconds)

Corona plumes, arcs from plumes to my arm, and arcs to my hand (top) (Long exposure 180 seconds)

Notice all the digital artifacts (spots) due to the electrostatic field affecting my Canon D60's CCD imaging element.

Another close shot of electrostatic discharge (Long exposure - 60 seconds)

Last modified November 30, 2003 10:31:02 PM