Violet Wands 101

by Ken

A while ago someone was asking about wanting to include electricity in their play. I responded to that with the admonition that electricity is not something to mess with unless you know exactly what you are doing. I also mentioned one of the safer electrical devices that some include in their play, namely Violet Wands. I received a number of requests to post more information about Violet Wands and... now due to popular demand... :) I may get a bit "techie" for some of you, but I believe firmly that in D/s play you should know as much about what you want to do with someone before you do it!

Violet Wands have been around for some time. I have seen some old ones at yard sales that go back to the 1930's and they are still currently produced. They have been used as quack medical machines, skin and muscle toners/ relaxers, etc. (We just like them because of the way they light up a sub's eyes! ) They are devices that plug into the wall and convert the household electricity into high-frequency, high voltage. This voltage may be upwards of 30,000 Volts! The electricity is transferred to the willing (or not so willing) subject in the form of myriads of small sparks.

Technical: Ordinary household electricity is a low frequency alternating current (120 Volts, 60 Hz in the USA) and is extremely hazardous to come in contact with! The Violet Wand "transforms" the household current by means of what is called a Tesla coil. At the "business" end of the wand is a detachable glass tube filled with Argon gas. When Argon is excited by a high voltage, it glows with a purple color, hence the name Violet Wand. I have heard of other gasses being used and glowing with different colors. These tubes come in different sizes and shapes... more about attachments later. It also makes a nice evil buzzzzzzzz.

The reason the electricity from the Violet Wand is relatively safe is due to two major items.

1. Because the electricity is going through the glass attachment there is not a direct connection from the sub to your wall outlet. This is a good thing!! We want the eyes to be wide... not popped out of their sockets!
2. Because the high voltage produced by the wand is at a high frequency, a phenomenon occurs that is called the "skin effect". Without going into the details, basically what happens is that as the frequency of an AC voltage increases, the depth to which that the electricity penetrates a conductor (whether copper wire or human) diminishes. This helps to keep the electricity from the Violet Wand away from internal organs, etc. where electricity just doesn't belong.

Attachments: Violet Wand attachments come in various shapes and sizes. I have seen glass attachments in the shape of a mushroom (probably the most common attachment), a comb (or rake) shape, a "Y" shape, etc. There is also a metal tube attachment. (see note under SAFETY Considerations).

Using the Wand (or how not to!)

Common sense prevails here. Remember too much of anything can be a bad thing! The sparks from a Violet Wand can be applied most anywhere on the body although one should make a point of avoiding the head and eyes. Experimentation is in order! Remember though, the glass tubes are made out of fairly thin glass... do NOT insert them into any body cavities!!! Should you need to clean your attachments just wipe them off with a damp rag, the glass is not dishwater safe (I broke a mushroom just under hot tap water!)

Avoid too much exposure in one spot at any time. The Wand produces sparks that irritate the skin and the glowing tubes also produce Ultraviolet light. You can produce a localized sunburn!! I remember watching someone play with a Violet Wand once and the next day the women he used it on had redness and blistering on their chests that lasted for least a week.

The Violet Wand produces real sparks! Some clothing is very flammable! Alcohol vapors (you shouldn't be drinking and playing!) could ignite. (btw some clothing may have metallic threads... zap one spot and it goes all over! Don't leave it turned on and laying down unattended.

Some Doms use the mushroom attachment and hold the Wand between their legs and with one hand grasping the mushroom attachment. They then trace patterns on their sub with the fingers of their other hand... quite erotic!!

Safety: As I have already stated don't insert the glass tube into body cavities. Many are interested in the metal tube attachment because of the much more intense "jolt" as well as it is not an attachment that will break. This attachment must be used with great care!! In general I have to recommend against it's use in play. In every Violet Wand I have examined, I have found that all exposed metal parts (and this includes the metal tube) have a direct connection to the AC line, and hence, are a shock hazard! If you are insistent on using the metal tube attachment, purchase what is called an "Isolation Transformer", available from most Geek supply stores [DEL: . There may be confusion to some sales people as to just what an Isolation Transformer is. It is not an Autotransformer, nor does it raise or lower the AC line Voltage. An Isolation Transformer has no direct connection from it's input (Primary) to it's output (Secondary).

When playing with a Violet Wand do so in a place where neither party can come in contact with water pipes, radiators, metal frames of buildings, electrical conduit, etc. This will help avoid the risk of shock. Do not use it on someone unable to communicate to you when they are in distress. Do not use it on someone with a heart ailment or pacemaker. Use your head!!

Disclaimer: The above is not intended to recommend use of a Violet Wand and those who do so do at their own risk. The above is intended solely to inform others about Violet Wands and to provide information about what they are and how they work.