All Keystone Science videos

High-voltage build

Portable Jacob's Ladder

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

High voltageBuild

Watch on YouTube

How it works

What this project is testing.

This is the Jacob ladder idea made compact: create a high enough voltage to start an arc, then let the hot plasma rise between widening electrodes.

Read more

The science is the same as the large version, but the portable format makes the limits more obvious. Electrode spacing, available power, and airflow all decide whether the arc climbs cleanly or dies early.

E \approx \frac{V}{d}

Breakdown depends on the electric field across the air gap.

P = I V

The arc needs enough power to stay hot and conductive as it moves upward.

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.

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries for Smoke Detector, Electronics & Audio, Reliable, 5-Year Shelf Life

batterypower

Amazon Basics 8-Pack 9V Long-Lasting Alkaline Batteries

$12.694.7(242K)

General electronics battery pick; choose AA/AAA variants when the circuit calls for them.

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)

BOJACK 3 Values 130 Pcs Solderless Breadboard 4 Pcs 830 Tie Points & 400 Tie Points & 126 Pcs Flexible Breadboard Jumper Wires

breadboardprototyping

BOJACK Solderless Breadboard Kit with 830/400 Tie-Point Boards and Flexible Jumper Wires

$9.994.4(692)

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 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 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.

ZVS Driver Module 12V to 30V DC High Voltage Generator with Flyback Transformer Heater Coil Boost Power Supply Board for Induction Heating

flyback transformerhigh voltage

ZVS Driver Module with Flyback Transformer, 12V-30V DC High Voltage Generator

$37.504.4(55)

High-voltage specialty part. Review ratings and safety language before public recommendation. 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)

Etauwe 5/16" Diameter 8" Length 304 Stainless Steel Solid Round Rod, Metal Solid Shaft Rods, for DIY Craft and Metal Working,

Jacob's ladder electrodeshigh voltage

304 Stainless Steel Solid Round Rods, 1/8 inch Diameter, 16 inch Length, 10pcs

$9.994.6(196)

Electrode material only; do not imply this is a full Jacob's ladder kit.

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)

TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Ovens 1.2 Cu Ft, 12.4" Removable Turntable Smart Humidity Sensor 12 Auto Menus Mute Function ECO Mode Easy Clean Interior Black Color 1000W

microwave ovensalvage

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave Oven, 1.2 Cu Ft, 1000W

$148.994.4(32K)

Recommend only as an appliance; do not encourage buying a working microwave for disassembly. Review requirements and safety guidance before buying.

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.

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)

3M Scotch Vinyl Electrical Tape Super 88, 3/4 in x 44 ft, Black, 1 roll, Premium Grade, Rubber Resin Adhesive, PVC Backing, A

electrical tapefabrication

3M Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape

$4.534.8(2,814)

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)

LOVIMAG Strong Neodymium Disc Magnets with Double-Sided Adhesive

magnetmagnetics

DIYMAG Strong Neodymium Disc Magnets with Double-Sided Adhesive, 1.26 inch x 1/8 inch, Pack of 12

$15.994.4(22K)

Gorilla Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit (Pack of 1 Mini Hot Glue Gun and 30 Sticks) - Dual Temp, Precision Nozzle, and Easy Squeeze Trigger

hot glue gun / glue sticksfabrication

Gorilla Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit with Glue Sticks

$16.554.7(27K)

LeMotech IP67 Waterproof Junction Box ABS Plastic Project Box Dustproof Electrical Box Outdoor Enclosure for Electronics DIY Case Gray 9.8X 3.1x 3.3 inch (250x 80x 85 mm)

project enclosurefabrication

LeMotech ABS Plastic Project Box Electronics Enclosure

$16.994.6(1,153)

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.

Email Keystone Science