15,000 volts passing through plywood

[Andy Coates]

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#

[Philip Greenwood]

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

Philip

[woodndesign]

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

Cheers

[BrianH]

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

[thebowlerhattedturner]

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

[Kevin Hanley]

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

Regards

Kevin

[Dave Atkinson]

Hi Kevin

have a look at this


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

Cheers Dave

[Eric Harvey]

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.

[Paul Hannaby]

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!

[TONY MALIN]

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.

[Neil Lawton]

"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

[davidbrac]

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

[Bryan Milham]

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.

[BOB A JOB]

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

Bob.

[bodrighywood]

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