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High-voltage build

Old Chandelier into a High Voltage Plasma Ball

Start with the video, then use the science notes and recommended parts below to follow the idea behind the build.

High voltage

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How it works

What this project is testing.

A plasma ball is what happens when a strong electric field starts pulling electrons loose inside a gas. Those freed electrons slam into atoms, the atoms get excited, and the glow appears as streamers.

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The chandelier build spreads that effect across a familiar object. The experiment tests how voltage, frequency, bulb shape, and geometry change the plasma paths and how stable the filaments look.

E \approx \frac{V}{d}

A larger voltage or smaller gap creates a stronger electric field.

e E ℓ ≳ E_{ion}

Ionization starts when an electron can gain enough energy between collisions to knock more electrons free.

Recommended parts

Products used in this project.

Affiliate links may earn Keystone Science a commission. Match ratings, values, sizes, polarity, and safety requirements to your own build before buying.

Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter TRMS 6000 with Battery Alligator Clips Test Leads AC/DC Voltage/Account,Voltage Alert, Amp/Ohm/Volt Multi Tester/Diode

multimetertest equipment

Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter TRMS 6000 with Battery, Alligator Clips, and Test Leads

$22.394.6(1,700)

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit w 2 Helping Hands, 6 Extra Iron Tips, Lead-Free Solder, Solder Sucker, S/S Tweezers, °C/ºF Conversion, Auto Sleep & Calibration Support

soldering ironfabrication

YIHUA 926 III 60W Digital Display Soldering Iron Station Kit

$39.994.4(6,900)

ElectroCookie Large PCB Prototype Board Kit Solderable Breadboards for Electronics Projects Compatible for DIY Arduino Soldering Projects, Gold-Plated (6 Multi-Pack, Blue)

printed circuit board / PCBprototyping

ElectroCookie Large PCB Prototype Board Kit, Solderable Breadboards for Electronics Projects

4.8(111)

EDGELEC 120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires 20cm Wire Length Optional Dupont Cable Assorted Kit Male to Female Multicolored Ribbon Cables

jumper wires / hookup wirewiring

120pcs Breadboard Jumper Wires, 20cm Dupont Cable Assorted Kit, Male to Female

$6.984.7(4,500)

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25 Values Resistor Kit 1 Ohm-1M Ohm with 5% 1/4W Carbon Film Resistors Assortment

resistorpassive electronics

BOJACK 1000 Pcs 25-Value 1/4W Carbon Film Resistor Assortment Kit, 1 ohm-1M ohm

$9.994.7(4,500)

BOJACK 24Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit Range 0.1uF－1000uF

capacitorpassive electronics

BOJACK 24-Value 630pcs Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor Assortment Box Kit, 0.1uF-1000uF

$16.994.7(953)

BOJACK 10 Values 250 Pcs A1015 BC327 BC337 C1815 S8050 S8550 2N2222 2N2907 2N3904 2N3906 PNP NPN Power General Purpose Transistors Assortment Kit

transistor / MOSFETsemiconductor

BOJACK 10-Value 250 Pcs PNP/NPN General Purpose Transistor Assortment Kit

$8.994.7(763)

BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit

integrated circuit / ICsemiconductor

BOJACK 12 Values 120 Pcs Opamp Timer Darlington Phototcoupler LM324 LM339 ULN2003AN ULN2803APG LM358P LM386 LM393 NE5532P NE555P UA741CN JRC4558D PC817 IC Assortment Kit

$18.994.8(511)

150 Pcs 15 Value 100 ohm- 2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor 6mm Potentiometer Assortment Kit

potentiometerpassive electronics

150 Pcs 15-Value 100 ohm-2M ohm Trimpot Variable Resistor Potentiometer Assortment Kit

$11.994.6(267)

BOJACK 20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor 10 uH to 10 mH 1 W Color Ring Inductor 1 Watt Assortment Kit

inductor / coilpassive electronics

20 Values 200 Pcs Inductor Assortment Kit, 1uH to 4.7mH, 0.5W Color Ring Inductors

$13.994.8(182)

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Jack Converter, 12 Volt LED Driver 24W Adapter Transformer for Strip Lights, Surveillance Cameras, External HDD, Monitor, CCTV (Pack of 1)

transformerpower

12V 2A Power Supply, AC 120V to DC12V 5.5x2.1mm Adapter Transformer

$8.994.5(6,601)

General low-voltage transformer/adapter pick; match voltage/current and connector to the circuit.

OEG Parts New Ignition Coil With Internal Resistor 3 OHM 12V 12 Volt Universal 35K Voltage Output Spark Coil Plug

ignition coilhigh voltage

OEG Parts 12V Universal Ignition Coil with Internal Resistor, 35K Voltage Output

$23.954.6(539)

High-voltage automotive part; verify input requirements and safety language before publishing. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

CQRobot Speaker 3 Watt 8 Ohm Compatible with Arduino Motherboard, JST-PH2.0 Interface. It is Ideal for a Variety of Small Electronic Projects.

speakeraudio

CQRobot 3 Watt 8 Ohm Speaker for Arduino and Small Electronics Projects

$7.994.5(457)

Theefun Plasma Ball 8 Inch Plasma Globe Lamp

plasma globe / plasma ballhigh voltage

8 Inch Plasma Ball, Touch and Sound Sensitive Plasma Globe Lamp

$34.954.6(3,100)

Plywood Board 20PCS 12" x8" x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets Thin Wood Sheets Perfect for Arts Crafts School Projects and DIY Projects,Baltic Birch Sheets Perfect for Wood Burning…

woodfabrication

Plywood Board 20PCS 12 x 8 x 1/12 inch Basswood Sheets for Arts, Crafts, School Projects, and DIY

$19.994.6(2,300)

Eastman 0.17 Inch ID (1/4 Inch OD) PVC Clear Vinyl Tubing, 20 Foot Length, 98560

tubing / hosefluid/vacuum

Eastman Clear Vinyl Tubing, 0.17 Inch ID, 1/4 Inch OD, 20 Foot Length

$5.984.6(5,100)

(2 Pack) Sylvania 22083 - F20T12/D 20 Watt Daylight 24 Inch T12 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb 20W 6500K

fluorescent bulb / tubelighting

Sylvania F20T12/D 20W Daylight 24 Inch T12 Fluorescent Tube Light Bulb, 2 Pack

4.5(183)

Confirm tube size and ballast compatibility.

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

computercomputing

Apple 2025 MacBook Pro Laptop with Apple M5 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU: Built for AI, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Storage; Space Black

$1,538.304.7(107)

Preferred Apple laptop option for coding, editing, and project-control work.

DEVMO DC 3V-6V to 400kV 400000V Boost Step-up Power Module High-Voltage Generator

high-voltage power supplypower

DEVMO DC 3V-6V to 400kV Boost Step-up High-Voltage Generator Module

$10.994.4(508)

Prefer low-current educational modules over mains-powered high-voltage supplies. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes 100MHz with Accessories Kit 1X 10X 2 Pack

test probes / leadstest equipment

Goupchn Universal P6100 Oscilloscope Clip Probes, 100MHz, 1X/10X, 2 Pack

$13.994.7(126)

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses for Men and Women with Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistant Wrap Around Lenses, Adjustable Temples and Nose Pads — ANSI Z87 Certified Protective Eyewear with 100% UV Shielding

safety glassessafety

NoCry Clear Safety Glasses with Anti-Fog and Scratch-Resistant Wraparound Lenses, ANSI Z87 Certified

$13.984.5(49K)

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Cup Set with Pour Spout,60ml(2OZ),120ml(4OZ), 250ml(8OZ) Glass Measuring Beaker for Kitchen or Restaurant, Easy to Read

glassfabrication

Ackers High Borosilicate Glass Measuring Beaker Set with Pour Spout

4.5(3,500)

Jesverty DC Power Supply Variable, 0-30V 0-10A Adjustable Switching DC Regulated Bench Power Supply with High Precision 4-Dig

bench DC power supplypower

Variable DC Bench Power Supply, 30V 10A Adjustable Regulated Supply

$64.994.5(2,700)

Easycargo 100pcs Heatsink Assortment Kit Small Cooler Aluminum Heat Sink Set for Cooling Laptop CPU GPU VGA RAM VRAM VRM IC LED MOSFET Transistor SCR Voltage Regulator (Without Thermal Tape)

cold sink / heat sinkthermal

Easycargo 100pcs Small Aluminum Heat Sink Assortment Kit

4.7(566)

Valefod 6 Pack LM2596 DC to DC High Efficiency Voltage Regulator 3.2-35V to 1.25-30V Buck Converter DIY Power Supply Step-Down Module

voltage regulatorpower

6 Pack LM2596 DC-DC Step-Down Buck Converter Voltage Regulator Module

$9.994.5(1,100)

ELEGOO UNO R3 Board ATmega328P with USB Cable(Arduino-Compatible) for Arduino

Arduino-compatible microcontroller boardcontrol

Arduino Uno REV3 Microcontroller Board

Use the exact board/pinout required by the project; clones may differ.

Energetic 24-Pack A19 LED Light Bulb, 60 Watt Equivalent, Daylight 5000K, E26 Medium Base, Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb, ETL Listed

light bulblighting

Energetic 24-Pack A19 LED Light Bulb, 60 Watt Equivalent, Daylight 5000K, E26 Medium Base, Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb, ETL Listed

$19.994.7(34K)

Match bulb type, voltage, and socket to the fixture.

Project files

Prints, kits, and downloads.

Diagrams, printable files, kits, or companion downloads will appear here when they are ready to use.

Coming soon

Contact

Events, speaking, collaborations, and news.

Send the project name, outlet or audience, timing, location, and the context you want covered.

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