For some reason to do with silly things to do with science this reminded
me of the glass phenomenon called "prince rupert drop"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Rupert's_Drop , if you see a glass
blowing demo then ask about it maybe they will show you. If your brave
then have one go of in your hand, numbs it for a minute or so but much
like catching a baseball incorrectly.

Lloyd E. Sponenburgh wrote:

"Ian Malcolm" wrote in message
...

Discharging them safely is going to be a real problem. The obvious
approach is a series chain on high voltage high power resistors in an
insulating tube that is good to at least 30KV. Maybe a chain of bleeder
resistors from microwave ovens? However I'd want specialist advice myself.
Why not ask on sci.electronics.repair. Do you have a drum of suitably
rated EHT cable? If not you cant really make ANY connections safely to
them.


It's really, really fun to drop them in a bucket of water while fully
chargedG.

Actually, it doesn't do much, but you get a nice crack and a cloud of steam
each time.

We did that at the Transitron lab because the engineering department was too
cheap to spring for a high voltage bleeder array. Not that it would've
cost much, but they didn't want to use up "valuable bench space".

Now... dropping a wet paper towel across the terminals -- THAT's fun!

LLoyd