Van de Graaff Generator – Hand Driven
Product Specification Sheet
Van de Graaff Generator – Hand Driven
Model Number: MTEE-01
The Hand Driven Van de Graaff Generator is a compact electrostatic apparatus designed to produce very high electric potentials at low currents. It features a 135 mm removable metal dome, rubber belt, insulated Perspex stand, hand-driven wheel, and discharge sphere. The unit can generate a potential of approximately 100 kV, with a typical spark length of around 30 mm, making it suitable for a wide range of electrostatic demonstrations.
Product Specification
The Van de Graaff Generator – Hand Driven is a versatile electrostatic generator designed for producing very high electrical potentials while maintaining relatively low current levels. Its manually operated configuration provides convenient control over charge generation without requiring an electric motor.
Micro Technologies manufactures the apparatus with a wooden base and insulated Perspex stand, providing mechanical stability while electrically isolating the high-voltage dome from the supporting structure.
A rubber belt forms an important part of the charge-transfer mechanism. Rotation of the hand-driven wheel moves the belt continuously through the generator assembly, allowing electrical charge to accumulate on the upper metal dome.
The apparatus is fitted with a removable metal dome approximately 135 mm in diameter. As the generator is operated, charge accumulates on the outer surface of this dome, creating a high electrostatic potential.
A driving wheel and driving belt provide manual operation. This hand-driven arrangement allows the operator to control the rotational speed and observe electrostatic effects progressively.
The generator can produce a potential of approximately 100 kV under suitable operating conditions. Because the generated current is low, the apparatus is intended primarily for electrostatic demonstrations and investigations rather than power applications.
A discharge sphere approximately 50 mm in diameter is mounted on a pivoted arm and fitted with a handle for adjustment. The sphere can be brought toward the charged dome to investigate electrical discharge and spark formation.
The typical spark length is approximately 30 mm, although the actual discharge distance can vary depending on atmospheric humidity, surface condition, operating speed, grounding, and other experimental conditions.
The apparatus is supplied with standard accessories, providing a convenient complete setup for performing a range of electrostatic demonstrations.
Features
- Hand-driven Van de Graaff Generator
- Produces very high electrostatic potential
- Approx. 100 kV output potential
- Low-current operation
- Approx. 135 mm removable metal dome
- Rubber charge-transfer belt
- Manual driving wheel
- Driving belt arrangement
- Insulated Perspex stand
- Stable wooden base
- Approx. 50 mm discharge sphere
- Pivoted discharge arm
- Adjustable discharge sphere with handle
- Typical spark length around 30 mm
- No electric motor required
- Standard accessories included
- Compact bench-top construction
Benefits
- Provides a highly visible demonstration of static electricity
- Hand operation allows convenient control of charge generation
- High electrostatic potential enables a wide range of demonstrations
- Transparent/insulating Perspex support helps electrically isolate the dome
- Removable dome provides convenient access to the internal assembly
- Adjustable discharge sphere enables controlled spark demonstrations
- No mains-powered drive motor is required for basic operation
- Suitable for repeated electrostatic investigations
- Standard accessories expand experimental possibilities
Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Van de Graaff Generator – Hand Driven |
| Internal Model No. | MT-45080 |
| Product Type | Electrostatic High-Voltage Generator |
| Operation | Hand Driven |
| Maximum Potential | Approx. 100 kV |
| Current Output | Low Current |
| Metal Dome | Removable |
| Dome Diameter | Approx. 135 mm |
| Charge Transfer | Rubber Belt |
| Drive System | Driving Wheel & Belt |
| Stand Material | Insulated Perspex |
| Base | Wooden |
| Discharge Sphere Diameter | Approx. 50 mm |
| Discharge Sphere Mounting | Pivoted Arm |
| Adjustment | Handle Operated |
| Typical Spark Length | Approx. 30 mm |
| Electric Motor | Not Required |
| Accessories | Standard Accessories Included |
| Primary Application | Electrostatic & High-Voltage Demonstrations |
Main Components
- Wooden supporting base
- Insulated Perspex stand
- Rubber charge-transfer belt
- Hand-operated driving wheel
- Driving belt
- Removable metal dome
- Pivoted discharge sphere
- Adjustment handle
- Standard experimental accessories
Applications
- Static electricity demonstrations
- Electrostatic charge generation
- High-voltage electrostatic experiments
- Electric discharge demonstrations
- Spark-gap investigations
- Charge accumulation experiments
- Attraction and repulsion demonstrations
- Electrostatic induction investigations
- Electric-field demonstrations
- Conductors and insulators experiments
- Electrostatics laboratory investigations
Available Variants
- MT-45080 – Hand Driven Van de Graaff Generator
- Van de Graaff Generator with Discharge Sphere
- Manual Electrostatic Generator
- High-Voltage Electrostatic Demonstrator
- Customized configurations for bulk requirements
SKU System
- MT-VDG-HD – Hand Driven Van de Graaff Generator
- MT-VDG-100K – Approx. 100 kV Configuration
- MT-VDG-DS – Configuration with Discharge Sphere
- MT-VDG-STD – Standard Laboratory Configuration
- MT-VDG-CUS – Customized Configuration
FAQs
What is a Van de Graaff Generator used for?
A Van de Graaff Generator is used to generate very high electrostatic potentials at low current for experiments involving static electricity, electric fields, charge accumulation, and electrical discharge.
Is this Van de Graaff Generator manually operated?
Yes. This model is hand driven, using a driving wheel and belt arrangement.
What voltage can the generator produce?
The apparatus can produce an electrostatic potential of approximately 100 kV under suitable operating conditions.
What is the diameter of the metal dome?
The removable metal dome has a diameter of approximately 135 mm.
What material is used for the charge-transfer belt?
The generator uses a rubber belt for transferring electrostatic charge.
Is the metal dome removable?
Yes. The upper metal dome is removable, providing convenient access to the generator assembly.
What is the purpose of the discharge sphere?
The discharge sphere allows the high electrostatic potential on the dome to be demonstrated through controlled electrical discharge and spark formation.
What is the diameter of the discharge sphere?
The discharge sphere has an approximate diameter of 50 mm.
How is the discharge sphere positioned?
It is mounted on a pivoted arm with a handle, allowing its position relative to the charged dome to be adjusted.
What is the typical spark length?
The typical spark length is approximately 30 mm. Actual spark distance can vary with atmospheric and experimental conditions.
Does the apparatus require an electric motor?
No. This version is manually operated and does not require a motor to rotate the belt.
Why is an insulated Perspex stand used?
The insulated stand provides mechanical support while helping minimize unwanted charge leakage from the high-voltage dome to the base.
Are accessories supplied with the generator?
Yes. The standard configuration includes the accessories required for common electrostatic demonstrations.
Can the generator demonstrate electrostatic attraction and repulsion?
Yes. With suitable accessories, the high static potential produced by the generator can be used to demonstrate electrostatic attraction, repulsion, charge transfer, and related phenomena.
Can Van de Graaff Generators be supplied in bulk?
Yes. Micro Technologies can supply Hand Driven Van de Graaff Generators for bulk procurement, laboratory requirements, universities, colleges, research facilities, distributors, and scientific equipment supply projects.
Why Choose Our Products
- Approx. 100 kV electrostatic potential
- Hand-driven operation
- 135 mm removable metal dome
- Insulated Perspex supporting structure
- Rubber charge-transfer belt
- 50 mm adjustable discharge sphere
- Approx. 30 mm typical spark
- Standard accessories included
- Robust bench-top construction
- Bulk supply available
Call to Action
Create impressive electrostatic demonstrations with the Hand Driven Van de Graaff Generator from Micro Technologies. Contact us for competitive quotations, bulk orders, distributor requirements, institutional procurement, customized supply, and complete electrostatics laboratory equipment solutions.
