Violet wand

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A violet ray or violet wand is a device used for the application of low current,high voltage (min 10kv to max 50kv typically), high frequency electricity to the body using a Tesla coil, originally sold as a quack medical device claimed to be useful in electrotherapy, though, since the 1990's, it has been used largely as a sexual stimulation device and by hairdressers to stimulate the scalp. It is especially popular among the BDSM community though antique models also popular among collectors of quack medical devices. The violet wand was recommended by Edgar Cayce. Today, it is also used, with different electrodes, for electrostatic leak detection.

A modern violet wand typically consists of a hand held "wand" made of plastic. The base of the handle has a permanently attached electrical cord which plugs directly into a wall outlet. The wand will have an intensity level control and sometimes an on/off switch, usually located near where the electrical cord is attached. In the base of the wand, an electromagnetic "buzzer" type circuit rapidly makes and breaks the circuit, thus serving the purpose of a spark gap in a normal Tesla coil. The intensity is controlled by varying the distance between the electrodes, and thus the intensity of the output (a key difference between a violet wand and a normal Tesla coil is that as the output of a violet wand increases as the distance between the electrodes decreases). The electromagnet also serves as an inductor to prevent the unit from drawing too much current. The Tesla coil consists of two coils and a capacitor. The "tip" of the wand (the output of the Tesla coil) has a socket into which an electrode is inserted.

A violet wand only creates shock sensation when there is a gap between the electrode and the body (full contact creates a slightly warm sensation). A violet wand electrode is usually made of clear tempered glass and is sealed and filled with a gas which glows when the wand operates. Different gas mixtures produce different glowing colours, usually purple, red, blue, or pink. Glass electrodes also come in a variety of sizes and shapes (including probe shaped, rake shaped, curved-y shaped, mushroom shaped, or bulb-shaped). Most glass electrodes have a metal end cap which inserts directly into the electrode socket on the wand. Some bulb-shaped electrodes have a screw thread cap and require an adapter in order to connect them to the electrode socket.

Solid metal electrodes (usually probe shaped) may also be used, and produce a far more intense sensation than glass electrodes. Note that a continuous metal rod should never be used. It should be interrupted by some sort of insulating spacer. During normal operation, the insulator will allow the high frequency high voltage output of the wand to pass through. In the event of an electrical short within the wand the insulator will block direct connection of the line voltage to the rod, a potentially hazardous situation. This is the arraignment most commonly referred to as a "spark gap".

The standard US size for the electrode connector on a violet wand is 7/16 inch (11.11 mm).

Violet wands can be operated with a foot switch which attaches between the wall socket power outlet and the electrical cord of the wand. Depending upon the type used, the foot switch may adjust the intensity of the wand, or may be a simple on/off switch (which is especially useful for wands which do not have their own on/off switch).

Violet wands were invented and sold by Nikola Tesla in the early 1900s. However, numerous companies copied his design and began selling the devices. Tesla refused to defend his invention, much to the consternation of his financial adviser.

One popular misconception is that violet wands produce ultraviolet light, and sometimes violet wands are erroneously called "Ultraviolet wands". Violet wands do not produce any significant amount of ultraviolet light and do not cause UV burns. However, the glass electrodes do generate ozone and nitrogen oxides, giving your skin the well known "ozone smell."