Jacob's Ladder is a simple science fair project that displays an arc of electricity between two electrodes. The arc of electricity starts at the bottom of the two electrodes and travels up to the top, where it is discharged into the air. A neon sign transformer works especially well because of the high voltage potential. Place two copper or other electricity conducting rods close together on a base. The rods should be slightly further apart at the top to form a V-shape. Connect the neon sign transformer to the rods, then connect the transformer to an electrical outlet. Be extremely careful to avoid electrical shock.
The Tesla coil was invented by Nikola Tesla in the late-19th century. The Tesla coil is a high-frequency transformer that produces arcs of lightning-like electricity. An extremely high electrical field is created around the top of the coil, which can light up a fluorescent light tube when it is held close to the coil. A neon sign transformer produces enough voltage to create the power necessary to operate a Tesla coil. The power of a largeTesla coil can exceed one million volts. A neon sign transformer attached to the Tesla coil should produce an electrical field capable of lighting neon light tubes. This science fair project demonstrates how electricity can travel through the air.
A neon sign transformer can be used to demonstrate how electricity can be captured from plasma. The flame of a propane torch or Bunsen burner is sufficiently hot enough to produce plasma. Connect two electrodes to a neon sign transformer. Connect the transformer to a small light bulb or voltage meter to measure the electricity produced. Insert two electrodes into the flame of propane torch, but do not allow the electrodes to touch. The electricity will flow through the electrodes, to the neon sign transformer and the light bulb. If you hook everything up correctly, the light bulb will glow.
A high frequency start box is a device used to produce an electrical spark that starts an arc welding torch. A circuit places alternating current in a series with the arc welder. When the arc welder's electrode is brought close enough to the metal to be welded, a high frequency start box ionizes the air between the electrode and the metal. The ionized air creates a path for the electricity and a spark ignites the welder. A neon sign transformer can be used as the high-voltage power source. Connect the transformer to a radio frequency oscillator in a series with the welder. Bring the welder electrode close to the metal to be welded to complete the circuit.