AWGB Woodturning Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Andy Coates on March 04, 2013, 02:02:21 PM

Title: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Andy Coates on March 04, 2013, 02:02:21 PM

What happens when you pass 15,000 volts through wood? I know you've all asked this question at some point. Well here's what happens. I wonder who will try it first as a decorative technique?

http://vimeo.com/60814695# (http://vimeo.com/60814695#)

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Philip Greenwood on March 04, 2013, 02:16:43 PM

OK off to my local substation, nice effect, but very dangerous.

Philip

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: woodndesign on March 04, 2013, 02:34:57 PM

Remember to turn off supply before moving connectors ...   :o ...

Cheers

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: BrianH on March 04, 2013, 04:14:44 PM

Hmmmm!
Wonder if a similar effect could be achieved on a bowl blank with a car battery? ???
Brian

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: thebowlerhattedturner on March 04, 2013, 04:34:31 PM

There is a sub station just at the bottom of my road, might have to get a pair of marigolds though. :P
good one Andy.
Cheers
John BHT

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Kevin Hanley on March 04, 2013, 04:50:21 PM

Very interesting.............but can anyone explain how and why this happens in a non conductive material such as plywood?

Regards

Kevin

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Dave Atkinson on March 04, 2013, 09:22:11 PM

Hi Kevin

have a look at this


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichtenberg_figure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichtenberg_figure)

Cheers Dave

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Eric Harvey on March 05, 2013, 08:39:16 AM

Having had a nasty electric shock when working in the telephone exchanges due to someones incompetence with 240 volts,I wouldn`t like to think what 15000 volts would do to you if things went wrong,if somebody was mad enough to try this,regards,

Eric.

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Paul Hannaby on March 05, 2013, 11:27:26 AM

You should never assume wood is non conductive. It has a variable water content and can't be relied upon to be an insulator.
Very interesting effect though!

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: TONY MALIN on March 05, 2013, 01:06:07 PM

Before starting to work in the test department at GEC we were given the Safety Manual. The first item read "All voltages are dangerous".
This may seem extreme, but a spark from a 12 volt battery could induce an instinctive reaction.

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Neil Lawton on March 05, 2013, 09:32:27 PM

"It's the Volts that Jolts, but the current that kills!" as my old lecturer used to say.
Fascinating image, looks like one of the old Oak trees at work.
Neil

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: davidbrac on March 05, 2013, 11:20:18 PM

Ok l will bite is it AC or DC and what sort of transformer would give that sort of supply, l'm thinking you would need about 30MA  ::)

I would expect the initial bridging (burn) to follow the grain

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: Bryan Milham on March 06, 2013, 07:46:21 AM

I don't want to give anyone ideas but the now old fashioned (tube type) TV sets have High Voltage transformers in them, certainly colour TV's produce 18 - 20,000V.

I can't remember where but somewhere I have seen an on-line video of a guy embelishing turned vessles in a similar manor. Not completely sure but I think he used a metalic salt wash as weel, to lead the electric burn where he wanted it.

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: BOB A JOB on March 06, 2013, 09:54:48 AM

I'm certainly not going to try it , even when I'm fit enough, don't think it would do my Pacemaker any good !  :o  :o
Regards to all,

Bob.

Title: Re: 15,000 volts passing through plywood
Post by: bodrighywood on March 06, 2013, 11:38:57 AM

I like the resulting effect but no way will I try it. In the immortal words of Cat Weasel 'It's all electrickery' and best avoided by me LOL

Pete