The plasma ball or lamp has been used as a novel form of interior decor for over 100 years and is still incredibly popular today. There are many different styles, shapes, sizes, and colors available so there are some really cool choices to fit your style & mood.
But are they dangerous? In this article you’ll learn how plasma lamps work and the facts to know.
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Can a plasma globe shock you?
The answer is no, not at all! (At least not in the dangerous sense). It’s important to note that when these lamps are on they actually have an excess of positive voltage. This means the outside of the glass sphere has more electrons than protons which makes it slightly negatively charged.
Technically speaking, if someone were to touch this “negative” exterior while the lamp was on, they would receive a harmless static electric shock just like touching any other object with similar properties (i.e., doorknobs in dry weather or your hair after rubbing it with a balloon).
So yes, even though there isn’t anything really dangerous about these fancy novelty lights and they can’t hurt you – we still recommend keeping them out of reach from children and pets.
How do plasma globes work?
Plasma globes use high voltage (upwards of 20,000 volts [20 kiloVolts]) to excite the gasses inside their glass enclosure causing them to give off light which you can see right through the plastic exterior. This type of lamp was first invented in the early 1900s by Nikola Tesla but it wasn’t until Thomas Edison came out with his own version that they became widely known as “Edison Lamps.”
Since then these lamps have fascinated all around because not only are they beautiful to look at, but they have the ability to attract metal objects which makes them great for science experiments!
What is inside a plasma ball?
The plasma ball contains a miniature Tesla coil within it. A coil of wires with electrons moving through them and vibrating at a tremendous frequency is contained within the ball. The atoms surrounding the coil are shaken so violently that their electrons become freed. Inside the glass globe is a partial vacuum with gasses. Because of this, it’s easier for the electrons to travel through the globe’s interior.
Why do plasma balls smell?
The smell you may be noticing is ozone. Ozone occurs when oxygen molecules are ionized by the electricity in a plasma ball or lamp. As electric current flows through the gas, it breaks apart into ions and free electrons which recombine with air to form ozone.
This reaction can also produce ultraviolet light which you cannot see but has been proven to cause skin cancer on prolonged exposure causing that “new car” smell! Luckily for us, most of this light is absorbed by the glass globe around the plasma ball so that only visible light remains inside making them safe enough for kids (and adults) tweens & teens to enjoy!
What should you not do with a plasma ball?
Don’t leave it on for too long because the heat generated by the electricity can cause damage to both its internal components and exterior. It’s also important that you don’t drop or knock over a plasma globe since this could break the glass enclosure which poses another risk of electric shock.
A plasma globe is a high-voltage electrical device that should be treated with care. Cell phones, Wi-Fi, and cordless phones may be affected by the frequencies it emits. Because the plasma ball generates electromagnetic radiation, it can cause problems with pacemakers. It’s recommended that people with a pacemaker avoid getting near them.