Violet wand

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A violet ray or violet wand is a device used for the application of low current, high frequency electricity (static electricity) to the body using a Tesla coil for purposes of electrotherapy. Violet Ray devices are popular among collectors of "quack" medical devices. Since the 1990s the devices have become popular in the [[BDSM]] community for use in sexual stimulation ([[electrical play]]).
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A '''Violet Wand''' or Violet Ray is a device used for the application of low current, high frequency, high voltage electricity to the body using an arrangement similar to a Tesla coil, originally for purposes of electrotherapy. Violet Ray devices are popular among collectors of "quack" medical devices. Since the 1990s the devices have become popular in the [[BDSM]] community for use in sexual stimulation ([[electrical play]]),
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where they are more commonly known as Violet Wands.
  
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In use, a violet wand produces a fine shower of static electrical sparks from the yip of a glass "wand," which glows violet in the process, hence the name. The wand can be set to a range of strengths from very mild tickling to excrutiating, and interchangable glass heads can be used to distribute the charge to the body in a variety of different ways.
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In use, a violet wand typically produces a fine shower of electrical discharges (ie sparks) from the tip of a glass "wand," which glows violet in the process, hence the name. The wand can be set to a range of strengths from very mild tickling to excrutiating, and interchangable glass or metal electrodes can be used to distribute the charge to the body in a variety of different ways.
  
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A violet wand should not be used on someone who has a pacemaker, insulin pump, or other electrically operated medical implant. Similarly, it should not be used on anyone with a history of cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats), heart disease or those who are taking heart medication. [[Safe, sane and consensual]] (SSC) proponents prefer to confine violet wand use to areas below the waist. In order to understand the reason for this, it is necessary to take a brief look at the electrical conduction system of the heart. The heart beats due to the conduction of electrical signals along it's long axis (top left to bottom right in the centre of the chest as you look at a person), which may be disrupted by a current applied to the chest flowing in this axis. The precise axis of the heart varies from person to person, with the movements of breathing, according to anatomical differences and whether or not the person has had previous heart disease, so it would be foolish to assume you can predict the axis of the heart, and thus avoid it. The best course of action is therefore "below the waist." However, humans are not electrical circuits and are unpredictable beasts due to their inherent anatomical and physiological variability- we are all different and have unpredictable tolerances.
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A violet wand should not be used on someone who has a pacemaker, insulin pump, or other electrically operated medical implant (and should not be used near other electronic devices, as the high voltage can damage electronics.)
  
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Many people try out Violet Wands on the hands before buying, but technically these are (in an electrophysiological sense) "above the waist" as they plug-in, as it were, at the shoulders providing a pretty good way of delivering the shock across the heart that one is trying to avoid. If you are going to use the arms, do not use both at once. Obviously this does not apply to legs, or the genitalia as they are not plugged into either side of the chest.  
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Due to its very low current, most experts in the use of the Violet Wand agree that it can be used above the waist - for example on the back, breasts and nipples (although some [[Safe, sane and consensual]] (SSC) proponents do object to all use of electrical toys on the torso or head.)
  
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Just as the static electricity from a rubbed balloon will not kill you, a Violet Wand stroked down a back (above the chest) is unlikely to cause a problem. Note the use of "unlikely" here. Nothing is certain in medicine, and you must weigh the risks and benefits, just like smoking or driving a car. Fit young people with previously unknown heart problems have been known to die suddenly under stress, a category which fits many forms of BDSM.  
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Violet Wands cause sensations such as tickling or pain by virtue of the very high temperatures present in the
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electrical discharge through the air from the electrode to the skin. These temperatures can produce skin reddening, similar to nettle rash or mild sunburn, or even result in temporary or permanent branding if sufficient intensity is used.
  
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Do not use Violet wands near the eyes. Even though some violet wand attachments are [[butt plug]] shaped, it is unwise to use these internally due to the fragility of the thin glass used. If a violet wand is used for too long on any one part of the body, reddening of the skin or more localised tattooing may occur, representing an electrical burn in minature. The use of drugs in BDSM is another subject altogether, but do not use electro play if you are on Cocaine or using any form of solvent (which includes [[poppers]] / [[amyl nitrate]]). Cocaine increases the risk of arrhythmias in the heart, and solvents render the heart muscle very sensitive to the effects of physiologically released adrenaline, again putting you at risk of sudden stress induced arrhythmias.  
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Violet Wands should not be used near the eyes, and although tempting due to the similarity of many
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violet wand attachments to [[butt plug]]s and [[dildo]]s, great care should be taken if used internally due to the fragility of the thin glass used.  
  
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A violet wand may overheat if it is used for extended periods of time, especially on high settings, causing it's wax core to melt. It will arc to metal. The sparks from a violet wand will ignite flammable liquids and gases. It has been suggested that a residual-current circuit breaker directly between the violet wand and the wall socket could be used for safety, but the Tesla coil is a transformer and completely negates the action of an RCD. Like all electrical devices, the violet wand should be kept away from water or other fluids, so does not make an ideal partner for [[watersports]].
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Older violet wands
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may overheat if they are used for extended periods of time, especially on high settings, causing their wax cores to melt. This is less of a problem for modern violet wands, which may easily be used for an hour at a time in
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many cases.
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The electrical discharge will preferentially follow routes involving metal conductors, and
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will arc to metal objects which may result in the top or bottom receiving unexpected VW shocks.
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The sparks from a violet wand will ignite flammable liquids and gases. The sharper the electrode, the more intense the discharge and the sensation, and this should be bourne in mind when planning a scene. (For example, if the bottom is restrained with metal cuffs, sharp corners on the cuffs may suddenly produce a much more intense discharge if the VW arcs to the metal.)
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Violet Wands may benefit from the use of a residual-current device (RCD) circuit breaker, if there is any danger of
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the cable from the wall socket to the wand generator being damaged, or the generator or cable getting wet
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(soft drinks and urine will conduct mains electricity.) If this happens, the RCD will prevent the generator or exposed cables from remaining live. However, it is regarded as essential that the bottom is further isolated from the generator and mains by means of an electrical insulator somewhere in the electrode being used. (Due to the high frequency of VW signals, they are readily transmitted through short insulators by capacitive coupling, which would block any mains electricity to pass through from a fault within the generator.) For glass electrodes, the air gap present between the central electrode and the glass bulb or rod provides an insulator, but when using metal electrodes (for example, when passing the VW signal through the top to the bottom) the electrode plugged into the VW generator must include a plastic or ceramic insulating section.
  
 
[[category:BDSM]]
 
[[category:BDSM]]
 
[[category:Sex Toys]]
 
[[category:Sex Toys]]

Revision as of 07:10, 1 April 2005

A Violet Wand or Violet Ray is a device used for the application of low current, high frequency, high voltage electricity to the body using an arrangement similar to a Tesla coil, originally for purposes of electrotherapy. Violet Ray devices are popular among collectors of "quack" medical devices. Since the 1990s the devices have become popular in the BDSM community for use in sexual stimulation (electrical play), where they are more commonly known as Violet Wands.

In use, a violet wand typically produces a fine shower of electrical discharges (ie sparks) from the tip of a glass "wand," which glows violet in the process, hence the name. The wand can be set to a range of strengths from very mild tickling to excrutiating, and interchangable glass or metal electrodes can be used to distribute the charge to the body in a variety of different ways.

A violet wand should not be used on someone who has a pacemaker, insulin pump, or other electrically operated medical implant (and should not be used near other electronic devices, as the high voltage can damage electronics.)

Due to its very low current, most experts in the use of the Violet Wand agree that it can be used above the waist - for example on the back, breasts and nipples (although some Safe, sane and consensual (SSC) proponents do object to all use of electrical toys on the torso or head.)

Violet Wands cause sensations such as tickling or pain by virtue of the very high temperatures present in the electrical discharge through the air from the electrode to the skin. These temperatures can produce skin reddening, similar to nettle rash or mild sunburn, or even result in temporary or permanent branding if sufficient intensity is used.

Violet Wands should not be used near the eyes, and although tempting due to the similarity of many violet wand attachments to butt plugs and dildos, great care should be taken if used internally due to the fragility of the thin glass used.

Older violet wands may overheat if they are used for extended periods of time, especially on high settings, causing their wax cores to melt. This is less of a problem for modern violet wands, which may easily be used for an hour at a time in many cases.

The electrical discharge will preferentially follow routes involving metal conductors, and will arc to metal objects which may result in the top or bottom receiving unexpected VW shocks. The sparks from a violet wand will ignite flammable liquids and gases. The sharper the electrode, the more intense the discharge and the sensation, and this should be bourne in mind when planning a scene. (For example, if the bottom is restrained with metal cuffs, sharp corners on the cuffs may suddenly produce a much more intense discharge if the VW arcs to the metal.)

Violet Wands may benefit from the use of a residual-current device (RCD) circuit breaker, if there is any danger of the cable from the wall socket to the wand generator being damaged, or the generator or cable getting wet (soft drinks and urine will conduct mains electricity.) If this happens, the RCD will prevent the generator or exposed cables from remaining live. However, it is regarded as essential that the bottom is further isolated from the generator and mains by means of an electrical insulator somewhere in the electrode being used. (Due to the high frequency of VW signals, they are readily transmitted through short insulators by capacitive coupling, which would block any mains electricity to pass through from a fault within the generator.) For glass electrodes, the air gap present between the central electrode and the glass bulb or rod provides an insulator, but when using metal electrodes (for example, when passing the VW signal through the top to the bottom) the electrode plugged into the VW generator must include a plastic or ceramic insulating section.

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