My neighbor waters his bugzapper

[arcas]

So I'm working in the yard and smell a faint, odd, burning smell. Given that a couple days ago, the GFCI outlet in one of my bathrooms melted, I briefly worried that my house was on fire. After a quick check inside and outside, I was satisfied that whatever it was it wasn't coming from my house.

Then I heard it. A buzzing, crackling, popping sound along with the traditional *psht*...*psht*...*psht*...*psht* sound of a lawn sprinkler. Wandered around to the side of the house and peered into my neighbor's backyard. Yep. He's watering his lawn and didn't bother to unplug his bugzapper.

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I watched in fascination for a few minutes as this thing sparked and smoked each time the sprinkler doused it.

 

[Rubycon]

The step up transformer has current limiting secondaries - it would have to as an arc is a short. They put a small amount of capcitance on the output too. That's what makes the arc sharp and crackle.

Touch it once! They run about 4600 volts at 9 milliamps. It will give you a damn strong shock but nothing like jumping in the tub with a toaster. Don't do that.