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Hello Kathy, and Group:
Brings back memories to my early self education in electricity and electronics, and particular, interests in
high power stuff, transmitters, etc...
As a kid, I got a Renwal brand, Electrostatic Generator, for Christmas, a hand crank "toy" Van De Graff... quite harmless, in itself, no? Nice brilliant blue snaps and pops that stung the hand, but did no harm...
Then, looking for more power, and discovering (I was 7th grade, then) the Leyden Jar principle, I used a
PVC plastic 1 qt ice cream container, some aluminum foil, scotch tape, and a piece of copper wire, coupled to the hand crank Van De Graff.. Harmless, right? RIIIGHT... KAPOW! Blue Flash... To this day, 40 years later it is the hardest hit I have ever taken with electricity, and I have been hit with 800 volts from a transmitter, which also knocked me to the floor.
Tnen, there are Tesla Coils, but that is another (scary) story....
So, I would recommend being very conservative on safety aspects of Leyden Jar exhibits, when combined with even "weak" electrostatic generators.
The other issue, is, I bet they can damage computing equipment from long distances.....
Properly done I think they can be tremendously educational and informative
Also here is great reference website for Science Museums:
http://www.smecc.org
All the best, Pat Barthelow AA6EG Skype: sparky599(530) 878-7056; [log in to unmask]
Jamesburg Moonbounce Team
http://www.jamesburgdish.org
> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:42:17 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Leyden jar safety
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> I am curious as to how many of you use Leyden jar demonstrations in your programming. I am aware of the safety concerns with using them and am considering whether or not we should be using them at all.
> If you do use the demonstration do you go through all of the concerns with the group, i.e. people with heart concerns, etc?? Does anyone still want to try it after you tell them all of the potential safety concerns? Do your presenters go through extensive high voltage training before being cleared to present the activity?
> Thoughts?
> Kathy Fournier
> Director of Science Education
> McWane Science Center
> 200 19th Street North
> Birmingham, AL 35209
> 205-714-8254
> [log in to unmask]
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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