Description

A 100 μF oil-filled capacitor is charged to 4 KV. This takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. The capacitor is discharged through a 12 inch length of iron wire. The wire explodes with a loud bang and a showering of sparks. A plexiglass shield is used to prevent the sparks from reaching the audience. This demonstrates the large amounts of power capacitors can produce. The energy stored is about 800J which gets discharged in microseconds.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWUkBvSSFpI

Materials

E6 special cart with:

Huge oil-filled capacitor (100 μF, 4000V)
5000V DC power supply (or at least 4000V)
Iron wire of length about 100mm diameter
High voltage switches (long plastic handles)
Safety plastic shield.

Instructions

Set-Up

Carefully lift off plexiglass screen surrounding the wire setup
Wrap wire around screw, between the washers and tighten both ends (left then right) so as to secure the wire
Replace plexiglass screen

DANGER - LETHAL VOLTAGES PRESENT

Charging & Discharging Sequence

Connect the terminals of the capacitor with the shorting rod and remove the shorting cable from capacitor
Turn on Power Supply
Set voltage knob on power supply to 4K V (This will charge capacitor at 4KV - 1.6mA)
Position knife switch to CHARGE position
When capacitor is charged to desired voltage, turn off power supply
Open knife switch
Turn off room lights
Position switch to DISCHARGE position
Option - Position knife switch to charge position to read the voltage still present across the capacitor - open knife switch
Discharge the capacitor with the shorting rod to show there is still a charge on the capacitor
HOLD SHORTING ROD ACROSS CAPACITOR TERMINALS AND REPLACE SHORTING CABLE

NOTE: It takes about 15-20 minutes to charge the capacitor to 4K V, but anything above 3K V should be enough to vaporize the wire.

Other

Tags: 8.02, capacitor

WARNING: The charge on the capacitor could be lethal.