Need High Voltage DC Power Unit

[Czilla9000]

For plasma electrolysis I need a PSU capable of dishing out 5 amps and 180-220 volts of direct current electricity (though typically only 0.5 amps will be used) .

Anyone know were I could find one or build one?

Also, how great is the danger of death if electrocuted? I have heard that DC does less damage than AC and that current is more deadly than voltage. However, I realize this is dangerous.


If anyone knows anything about plasma formation or plasma electrolysis of water please tell me what you know.

Thanks you.

PS- Where is a good place to get chemistry supplies?

 

[Nisbeth]

The easiest way is probably to get hold of a surplus isolation transformer and rectify that. You're looking at about a kW of power so this is not a pocket-sized transformer. Both voltage and current should be more than enough to kill you. You've been warned!

/U.

 

[eric343]

Whoa there dude...

The easiest way would be to rectify a 230V AC current, such as is found in certain outlets and in Europe.

Unfortunately, that has its own problems; you would still need an isolation transformer!

With that said, I'm guessing that you first want to learn about plasma electrolysis (whatever that is) BEFORE attempting it. That "does anyone know where to buy chemistry supplies" comment worries me...

 

[Czilla9000]

The experiment I am attempting is supposed to be simple, though somewhat dangerous. It is a "diy" (to quote the author) experiment to demonstrate...welll....errr....I probably shouldn't say

I have learned that the current will probably be only 0.3 Amps DC, though I have heard that that still could be fatal (if it were AC it would definetly be).

The good news is I could maybe get away with 80 volts of DC if I preheat the experiment.

However, I am having a REALLY hard time finding a PSU, and I am not sure how to design one. I can easier find super hign-current/low voltage DC power supplies but I can not locate a high voltage/low current one.

 

[Sycraft]

Try eBay. Do a search for variable power supply. I was hunting for low voltage lab power supplies, but there were a number of high voltage ones listed. Given you are talking about using it to zorch water, I doubt the tolerances matter much and if it's crappy, so what, so long as the voltage is about what you need.

As for electrocution, well that takes going through our heart. Actually, you can die from an amazingly low voltage and current, if it actually ails your hears. However I can say from experience that you can take 240v, 50a and live. I got nailed a couple of times as a lighting tech. Not pleasent, but not fatal since it was one handed contact and I wasn't grounded.

Basically, wear thick rubber sole shoes, and keep one hand in your pocket. Or better yet, opt for rubber gloves too. The impedance on rubber gloves is such that you really don't have to worry.

Of course the best idea is to just not touch the ends when the power is on

 

[Czilla9000]

On Ebay I saw a Tesla PSU that can do 0.001 A at 100,000 volts. Would that be safer?

 

[Sycraft]

Really dude, you need to stop worrying about the safety of relitive powersupplies. All the amounts you are talking about will kill you (well, that last one probably wouldn't) but not easily. It's simple: keep the thing off, or better yet unpluged while you set stuff up. Then it's ready to go, turn it on. I mean avodiing shock in a lab-type situation isn't hard. I got shoecked because the moron operating the board didn't shut down all the dimmer packs I was working on. I've never been socked when working on a project of my own.

Get yourself a PSU as recommended by your friend (for chemical reactions you can't always substitute higher voltages for less amperage. Just don't have it active when you wire everything up. Besides, you real danger is from the chemical reaction. Hydrogen and oxygen react, violently, to produce water and you will be producing them from water. Don't worry about your PSU, worry that you know how to do a chemistry experiment safely.