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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAnyone know what this is?
I found it in my closet, my Dad gave it to me decades ago.
If I plug it in the spike sparks with static electricity.
Link to tweet
petronius
(26,602 posts)Archae
(46,337 posts)Doesn't rotate, just sparks.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,355 posts)See, e.g., this randomly chosen ad
https://www.penntoolco.com/newage-electric-arc-etching-pen-model-300/
Bucky
(54,027 posts)Especially effective in close quarters
Arne
(2,027 posts)So I'll take some guesses,
First is a degausser.
Second is, picture tube anode probe.
Karadeniz
(22,537 posts)Wounded Bear
(58,670 posts)Wounded Bear
(58,670 posts)unblock
(52,253 posts)Archae
(46,337 posts)Label says "Electro Technic Products, Inc."
120 volts, .35 amps
High frequency generator
(I needed a magnifying glass to see what the label said)
unblock
(52,253 posts)Leak & Holiday Detectors
Shop our high voltage testers most commonly used for vacuum leak detection in vials, glass and porosity testing to identify holidays or pinholes in rubber linings, injection molds and welds.
https://www.electrotechnicproducts.com/leak-holiday-detectors
Archae
(46,337 posts)A holiday test is an inspection method used to detect discontinuities in painted/coated surfaces using specialized tools and equipment. These tools, called holiday detectors, are portable devices that are swept across the coated surface.
Holidays tests work on the concept of electrical conductivity. Metal substrates are excellent conductors of electricity, and therefore allow current to flow through them. On the other hand, many coatings are poor conductors of electricity and resist the flow of electricity. Using this principle, holiday tests use instruments to locate flaws in anticorrosive paints and coatings.
During holiday testing, a ground wire and probing electrode are attached to the same power source. The ground wire is clamped to the specimen being tested while the probe is swept across the surface of the metal substrate. If the probe comes into contact with a coating discontinuity, the exposed metal completes the electrical circuit between the electrode and the grounding wire, resulting in a flow of electricity. This electricity shows up on an indicator, alerting the equipment operator of the defect.
While holiday tests are effective, they do possess limitations. Because these tests depend on the coating being non-conductive, they are not effective on conductive metallic coatings, such as zinc-rich primers.
A holiday test is also known as a continuity test.
https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/1595/holiday-test
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(52,253 posts)OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)https://www.britannica.com/technology/Tesla-coil
Archae
(46,337 posts)I would guess it would fry electronic stuff.
OilemFirchen
(7,143 posts)Of course, the bulb will only continue to light while the coil is activated and pointed at it.
Otherwise, I dunno. One of the physics geeks should be along shortly...
Brother Buzz
(36,444 posts)surrealAmerican
(11,362 posts)... without having to plug them into a transformer.
Goddessartist
(1,800 posts)I think. They get nice and hot and one can cut into pink hardware foam and sculpt with it.
doc03
(35,348 posts)ret5hd
(20,499 posts)Niagara
(7,627 posts)ZoltarSpeaks
(90 posts)I have one just like it. It generates a high-frequency high-voltage at the probe end that will illuminate neon and fluorescent tubes simply by holding it nearby. The tip will produce a spark about 1-1/2" long off anything metal but it is such a high frequency and low current that you can hold the piece of metal in your hand and receive the discharge without any painful shock. Taking the spark to the skin directly will tingle and even burn a bit though.
The knob at the cord end is an adjustment for the spark intensity and uses a standard spark coil vibrator circuit.
Many antique variations of this can be found at flea markets. They fall into the category of medical quackery devices and were called Violet Ray Machines. They usually came boxed with several assorted gas filled glass probes that were presumably used for treating various medical conditions.
The device pictured is a relatively modern unit that was sold by neon supply houses specifically for non-contact testing of gas filled tubes.