how much damage would it do to stick your tongue on a bug zapper?

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
we have one of those electric bug zappers shaped like a tennis racket here at work. There is money on the table for whoever sticks their tongue on it. Any possibility of serious damage here?

Pics will most likely be provided if this does happen.
 

Literati

Golden Member
Jan 13, 2005
1,864
0
0
Hey I saw a kid zap his NUTS with a personal defense taser ok? That was after he zapped his tounge.

*high pitch* money money moneeey, MOOONEEEYY!
 

icejunkie

Platinum Member
Oct 2, 2004
2,326
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0
who cares if there's damage invloved? i'd most likely commit suicide if the price was right...
 

tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
1
0
I zapped my arm on one of those bug zappers and it burned for days. I could only imagine your tongue.
 

RbSX

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
8,351
1
76
No amount of money would get me to do that.. I've zapped my finger and it burnt like a bitch.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
dude...NO.

Let me put it this way. A 9V battery will make your tongue tingle. Thousands of volts will hurt like CRAZY. Your tongue is wet, and conducts electricity well.
 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
It's 4.5 kV at 9mA. Not very much.

Will definitely be uncomfortable for sure.

Metallic taste in mouth for week.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
It's 4.5 kV at 9mA. Not very much.

Will definitely be uncomfortable for sure.

Metallic taste in mouth for week.

it's not dangerous, but aiiee the pain. Your tongue is surprisingly sensitive, you know.
 

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
how much damnit?:|

back in my college days I would have done that for a sixer of beer of my choice.
 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
Tongue factor doesn't apply at this voltage. All will flow at that pressure. Lucky it's only 9mA.

Some other more powerful potentials easily obtained:

- Oil burner ignition transformer. Most are 10,000V at 23mA. This is on threshold of becoming dangerous.

- Neon sign transformer. Available up to 15,000V at 60mA. Touch one of these and you'll live. You will also scream like a girl that saw a mouse on the floor.

- Microwave oven. *only* 2,000V but 500mA. That will kill you. Don't even think about playing with this.

- Pole pig. Sky is really the limit but if you have the typical 200A electrical system and "borrow" a 50A circuit from your range or have a welder in your garage you can get 30,000+ volts at 1/2A or more. This is lethal obviously and only highly experienced and trained people should even think of messing with one.
 

elektrolokomotive

Golden Member
Jan 14, 2004
1,637
0
0
Originally posted by: sharkeeper
- Pole pig. Sky is really the limit but if you have the typical 200A electrical system and "borrow" a 50A circuit from your range or have a welder in your garage you can get 30,000+ volts at 1/2A or more. This is lethal obviously and only highly experienced and trained people should even think of messing with one.

And you posted this for all to see?

Can't wait til some noob gives it a try.

 

shuan24

Platinum Member
Jul 17, 2003
2,558
0
0
uh it's not the voltage that kills, its the power. (which is a function of the voltage and current) So at 40W with your tongue, it's definitely gonna leave a mark!
 

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
I'd expect to see this kind of question on MTV or maybe WWF Wrestling forums, not Anandtech.. how low has ATOT sunk? :(
 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
I'd expect to see this kind of question on MTV or maybe WWF Wrestling forums, not Anandtech.. how low has ATOT sunk?

Good point. I figure they should be taking it apart, removing the transformer and performing high voltage stress tests on iPods.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Originally posted by: Gurck
I'd expect to see this kind of question on MTV or maybe WWF Wrestling forums, not Anandtech.. how low has ATOT sunk? :(

enough for someone to become a lifer in a year simply by bitching about Ipods.

Right now the pool is up to about $50. I zapped my finger with it a bunch of times and it doesnt really hurt. I even tried it with my finger wet to see if it hurt any worse like that and nothing really happenned. This thing is only powered by 2 C batteries. If I do it, it will be tomorrow so we can videotape the event.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
My brother-in-law thought it was a toy and zapped himself on the face a few months ago. I watched (let) him do it. Gave him a jolt, but no big deal.

I'd be more worried about the crispy insect parts getting on my tongue.
 

sharkeeper

Lifer
Jan 13, 2001
10,886
2
0
Right now the pool is up to about $50. I zapped my finger with it a bunch of times and it doesnt really hurt. I even tried it with my finger wet to see if it hurt any worse like that and nothing really happenned. This thing is only powered by 2 C batteries. If I do it, it will be tomorrow so we can videotape the event.

Ummm get a REAL bug zapper, the kind that run off shore power. These produce 4500V at 9mA. Tell us how it feels then.

That battery powered POS probably couldn't even make my main vein move if I touched it to my balls.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: shuan24
uh it's not the voltage that kills, its the power. (which is a function of the voltage and current) So at 40W with your tongue, it's definitely gonna leave a mark!
It's current, not power.