General Information - 3B SCIENTIFIC PHYSICS U15300-115 Manuel D'instructions

•
Only use in dry rooms where there is no risk of
explosion.
•
Do not operate the machine if there is any visi-
ble damage.
•
The instrument may only be connected to the
mains via a socket that has an earth connection.
•
Assemble circuits completely before switching on
the Van de Graaff generator.
•
Do not touch the circuits while running the gen-
erator.
•
Replace a faulty fuse only with one matching the
specifications stated at the rear of the housing.
•
Disconnect the equipment from the mains be-
fore replacing a fuse.
•
Never short the fuse or the fuse holder.
2. Description
The Van de Graaff generator serves as a electrostatic
charge generator for high DC voltages (up to 100 kV
if the experimental conditions are ideal) with low
current (not contact hazardous) for numerous ex-
periments in the area of electrostatics.
The Van de Graaff generator is made up of a base
plate on which the drive motor with controllable
speed and the acrylic glass insulator are mounted.
The detachable metal sphere with 4 mm socket, for
tapping voltage, is mounted on the insulator. The
rubber belt runs between the drive pulley and the
deflection pulley. The deflection pulley and the top
metal edge are height adjustable (only required for
retensioning the rubber belt). The metal edge is
connected to the metal rod on which the sphere is
mounted. The idler pulley and the bottom metal
edge with 4-mm socket are located above the drive
pulley. The conductor sphere on metal rod is used to
demonstrate the flashover.
The Van de Graaff Generator 1002963 / U15300-115
is for operation with a mains voltage of 115 V (±10%),
and the 1002964 / U15300-230 unit is for operation
with a mains voltage of 230 V (±10%).
3. Equipment supplied
1 Van de Graaff generator
1 Condutor sphere on rod
1 Mains power lead
1 Dust cover
4. Spare parts
Rubber Belt for
Van de Graaff Generator
5. Technical data
Voltage:
Short circuit current:
Drive motor:
Mains connection:
Power consumption:
Primary protection:
Dimensions:
Generator:
Metal sphere:
Conductor:
Height:
Weight:
Generator:
Conductor:
6. Operation

6.1 General information

The performance of a Van der Graaff generator can
be adversely affected by humidity, sudden tempera-
ture fluctuations (precipitation) or dirt. To keep the
machine working properly, all dirt (dust or grease,
e.g. fingerprints) must be removed from the side
walls, the spheres, the rollers and the rubber belt.
•
Before switching on the Van de Graaff generator
remove the metal sphere by lifting it straight up.
•
Clean the surface of the pulleys with warm water
and some dish washing liquid and dry them
thoroughly (with a hair dryer). Never use sol-
vents.
•
Align the metal edges as shown in Fig. 1. Posi-
tion them as close to the belt as possible without
touching it.
•
Put the metal sphere back on.
•
Ground the sockets at the bottom metal edge
and the conductor.
•
Switch on the drive motor and choose the drive
speed.
•
Move the conductor slowly to the metal sphere
to demonstrate charge balancing across a spark
gap.
•
In case of high humidity dry the Van de Graaff
generator with warm air (hair dryer).
2
1002965 / U15301
up to approx. 100 kV
15 µA
115 V, 50/60 Hz resp.
230 V, 50/60 Hz
13 VA
fuse T 160 mA
3
240 x 190 x 620 mm
190 mm dia.
90 mm dia.
460 mm
5.8 kg
0.5 kg