There are all sorts of ways to make a plasma globe. This page deals with simple methods which do not require a vacuum pump. A normal transparent light bulb can be used as a plasma globe simply by connecting it to a high voltage power supply. Most light bulbs contain low pressure Argon gas to prevent the hot filaments from burning. Fortunately this arrangement is also ideal for making contained arcs of plasma. The power supply required for the plasma globe would preferably be a high voltage, high frequency AC type. A PSU such as this could be made from an ignition coil, like the ones used in the Homemade Tesla Coil project. The schematic below shows a driver circuit, for more details see the Ignition Coil Driver page. We also sell a ready made ignition coil driver which also includes extra features..

Click Here for further info on the DIY Ignition Coil Driver

Click Here for further info on the PWM-OC10A Ignition Coil Driver

It is also possible to create tha plasma globe effect shown in the top picture by using a device that will transmit the electrical power without wires!

Tesla coils radiate high frequency electrical energy whch can easily be collected. Check out the DIY Plasma Gun project to see the effects in action. With a bigger tesla coil and some special gasses it is even possible to make an open air 'plasma globe'. You would not be safe touching this though. See the plasma page for photos.

Science Menu

Research Projects

DIY Projects & Experiments

Cybernetics & Virtual Worlds

High Voltage

Propulsion Systems

Physics & Formula

Sponsored Links

Questions and Comments on the DIY Plasma Globe

something about high voltage	Tuesday, 11th December 2007 1:23pm - No.2325
dear rmc would 30kv be enought to run a light bulb plasma effect my generation source is a self resonating single based transistor driver a very simple one but im not sure if it will produce enough voltage
RMCybernetics	Wednesday, 12th December 2007 12:24am - No.2327
Yes it is enough. The frequency must be quite high too.
something about high voltage	Thursday, 13th December 2007 2:02pm - No.2339
its bout 20,000hz or higher its a self resonating flyback driver coupled with a neon golbe on the primary wires, works very well
c14rock1710042	Wednesday, 24th September 2008 2:11pm - No.3135
epx101 returning here :) hey!, can i use tone generator of my pc ?? then connect it to the signal input. cause the tone generator produces clicks at my speaker and it also have square wave
RMCybernetics	Tuesday, 30th September 2008 2:32pm - No.3145
Yes this would work but there is a risk of damaging your PC. I reccomend that you use an optoisolator between your PC and the circuit.
ian rab	Friday, 5th December 2008 8:41pm - No.3421
on the base of T1, what is the 'signal input'/what is it for/etc.?
RMCybernetics	Wednesday, 10th December 2008 9:52am - No.3426
A squarewave signal is applied to it so that power to the ignitioncoil is rapidly switched on and off. See the ignition coil driver page for more info.

High Power Pulse Width Modulated Signal Generators

Electrodes for Hydrogen and Oxygen production

Variable Frequency PWM Circuits

Aura Photo Electrodes

© 2010 All Rights Reserved

About Us | Terms of Use | Services