What is this Violet Wand you speak of?

It is a hand held device that produces a high frequency, high voltage discharge.

The discharge comes from the production of a few watts of radio frequency energy. The voltage is very high, but the current available in the discharge is very low.

Mechanical wands
Traditionally, what BDSM folks call a Violet Wand has been a Tesla coil in a cylindrical case.

In the antique and more modern BD-10 units, a mechanical device drives the generation of radio frequency energy. Electrical contacts make and break a circuit at a high speed, causing the buzzing noise that mechanical units always make.

There are antique wands that have part of the electrical stuff in a base unit. It's hard to recommend using them for what we do, mostly because the base is cumbersome. The cord from the base to the hand held unit is always too short. The intensity control is almost always in the base, and that's not usually convenient.

Most units sold as Violet Wands by the vendors in the BDSM market are unmodified Electro-Technic Products, Inc. models from the BD-10 family. Well, actually, they usually modify them by removing the ETP product markings and substituting their own.

This image is of a BD-10A with it's standard attachment inserted. This attachment is metal, and is rarely used on people. If you buy a used BD-10, you should set this attachment aside.

You can see all the versions of this product on the Electro-Technic Products web site,
https://www.electrotechnicproducts.com/industrial-leak-and-pinhole-detectors/

And, you can buy one directly from ETP, right on their site. If you do, don't tell them you are going to use it on a person!

The BD-10 is for detecting pin holes in the insulation of tank linings and testing neon signs. Here is an article explaining pinhole leak detection: http://www.abbeon.com/ItemFiles/Manual/PinHoleLeakDetection.pdf

Arbor Scientific sells the BD-10AS for use in science classrooms - http://www.arborsci.com/tesla-coil On this link, you will see some good information that will take a lot of the mystery out of what the violet wand does.

Arbor is selling a version of the BD-10A that has a momentary on/off switch on the side. The model we usually use in BDSM play is the BD-10A, which does not have this switch. It is always on whenever plugged in.

Consider buying your BD-10A from SVP Neon Equipment on eBay.  This will cost you less than buying direct from the manufacturer, and SVP is a well known reliable vendor. 

Here it is in use, discharging to metal, lighting up a neon bulb, and also a plasma globe. This Youtube video lasts less than two minutes. It will open in a new window.

Youtube: Handheld Tesla Coil / Electro-Technic Products BD-10AS

Solid State Wands

A solid state wand has no moving parts. Modern electronics made it possible to generate the high voltage, low current  discharge of a small Tesla coil without using the mechanical means of making and breaking a circuit.

Dr. Clockwork sells a solid state wand on his web site, at this link:
http://www.drclockwork.com/violet-wands/solid-state-violet-wand

It makes no noise. It does not get warm. It is very light and easy to handle.

It isn't as powerful as the usual BD-10A instrument but only the hardiest pain lovers will likely care about the difference. It produces an unbearable sting for some people, without getting to the highest setting. Sensations vary widely depending on what is attached, as is true for all violet wands.

The most powerful of the solid state violet wands is arguably the Model SN-b Nova wand pictured below.  Click on this link for a product description on the VioletWands.com web site: https://www.violetwands.com/shop/nova-violetwand-model-snb/

Attachments

Kits sold to Aestheticians usually have only a few basic glass attachments. You can buy sets of glass attachments on eBay when you are just starting out, or you can buy from one of the kink vendors like Huse.com, Stockroom.com, http://www.violetwands.com or DrClockwork.com. 

For a selection of unusual and exotic attachments, check out Dr. Von Hertz:
https://www.drvonhertz.com/

Some attachments sold to aestheticians do not fit the BD-10 and Dr. Clockwork solid state wands. Don't buy attachments that are 11.25mm or 12mm if you want to use one of the wands mentioned on this page.  The BD-10 family of products, Nova, Mirage, and Dr. Clockwork wands use 7/16" or 11.11mm attachments.

The place to search on eBay is under Health and Beauty.  Search for High Frequency Facial Skin Care.

A typical assortment is shown below. The image is from the Stockroom web site. Click on the image to get to the site, and you will see descriptions of the various attachments.

Safety!  Information about burns, accidents, limits on use, READ THIS BEFORE USING

Q. Can you burn skin with a violet wand?

A. Yes. Aloe, and products containg aloe, speed healing of the small burns that look like rashes. The burns are rarely permanent.

When used for branding, the scars persist for days to weeks, rarely lasting more than a few months. 

Q. Is there danger of shock to either the handler or the person being zapped?

A. Yes. There is the chance one side of the electric cord might connect to the metal collet where the attachments go into the base unit. If you happened to touch this metal, and the power plug happened to be plugged in so that the metal collet was "hot", and if there happened to be a problem inside the base unit such that a short circuit existed or an insulator had broken down, and if you were sufficiently well grounded, you might get a mild to severe shock.

Q. What precautions should I take when using a violet wand, to prevent shock?

A. Use a GFCI, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, available at hardware stores, Lowe's, Home Depot, and electrical supply stores.

Q. What is a Body Contact Probe and how do I use one?

A. One end of the Body Contact Probe or Cable goes into the output of the violet wand.  Hold the other end... and sparks fly from your fingers.  Here is a photo of a Body ContactCable, from TheVioletWands.com site.

Q. How long can I run a BD-10 unit?

A. My advice? No more than 30 minutes. It will get warm after only a few minutes. Many recommend planning on no more than 15 minutes before resting it for 15 minutes. Remember, it was not meant to be use continuously. See the Operating Manual link above for the manufacturers recommendations.

Q. Can I use it internally, inside her pussy? How about zapping the inside of his cock?

A. My, you are the sadistic one! YES, there are attachments that are made of such strong glass they can survive the contractions of a clenched pussy.  Discharging from the tip to the inside of the head of the cock is likely to produce a strong reaction. Better tie him down first! And remember that advice about burns!  I can't recommend using anything inside anyone.  Speak with an expert before deciding to do that, please.

Q. I found an antique looking wooden boxy thing with cords, a wand, and some attachments. Should I use it?

A. Not until you get it evaluated by an electronics technician or electronics engineer.

Talking to a doctor about violet wand issues

The doc might not know what a "Violet Wand" is. He will likely have heard of "tesla coil" and he should be aware of the versions used by aestheticians - after all, these are used on the face. Surely a cardiologist will have heard of these. Your question might sound like this:

There isn't a reason to tell him where else it might be used, right? Unless you enjoy giggling and have that kind of vibe with your cardiologist. If he or she asks, you can assure them that men and women can indeed orgasm from "the proper use" of such devices.

Another way to ask the question is based on knowing that the usual violet wand base unit is actually a hand-held Tesla coil.

You can read up on the safety issues before you go. American Heart Association, Devices that may Interfere with Pacemakers

On the AHA page, we read this, among the list of devices they warn you about should you have a pacemaker installed:

• MP3 player headphones: Most contain a magnetic substance and research has documented that placing the headphones too close to the pacemaker caused interference.
  • Keep your headphones at least 1.2 inches (3 cm) away from your pacemaker.
  • Never rest your head on the chest of a person with pacemaker while you're wearing headphones.
  • Both the earbud and clip-on types of headphones can cause interference.
  • Do not place headphones in a breast pocket or drape them over your chest.

The AHA page also has this:

So, maybe your question to the doc would sound like this:

And then I would hand over a copy of the operating manual.

If I had a pacemaker in me, an insulin pump, hearing aids, any electronics at all imbedded or carried on my body,

• I would not engage in any kind of electrical play as the receiver.
• As the giver, I would have a robust conversation with my cardiologist, and do my own research.

My concerns about the BD-10A and the solid state wands is the magnetic field they generate. The electronic gadget you want to protect might be adequately shielded - it might not. Violet wands make a much stronger, more intense field than MP3 earbuds. So, I can't think of a way I could make myself completely safe, without wearing a shield on my chest, or adding some shielding to the wand.

Which might be the bottom line on all this. The doc might simply say, as the AHA page says, "if you suspect there is a problem, turn it off". And it's nice to know that modern pacemakers simply resume normal operation after the interference is removed.

Myths and Lies

You can't visit a forum where the Violet Wand is discussed without reading vaguely frightening words about them. A lot of effort has been devoted over the years to making them more mysterious. A few writers, such as ElectroJack of Florida and Dr. Clockwork of New Jersey, have devoted hundreds of hours to debunking myths. Yet myths persist!

Electro-mechanical violet wands do not have ceramic or wax "cores".  They have capacitors, not cores, which may be ceramic, or wax-impregnated, or mylar, or some other type. If you are buying a brand new wand from one of the vendors mentioned on this page, you need not be concerned with this old myth.  

Rumors circulate concerning supposed injuries sustained by people using electro-mechanical violet wands. Rumor has it that ETP will not sell you a BD-10 because they fear a personal injury lawsuit. While it might be wise to avoid buying any product and telling the vendor you do not intend to apply it according to it's stated purpose, you can indeed buy directly from ETP.  As for the lawsuit rumor, Gerald Cuzelis, the owner of Electro-Technic Products, was interviewed by the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch in 2009 for an article about a high school science teacher who had been using a BD-10 on his students. He was quoted as saying We have instructions to warn people that it's not a toy. If this device is directed for seconds (on the skin), that's a clear misuse of the product. He also said he was not aware of anyone seriously hurt with the device and said that his company had never been sued for injuries. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/05/11/Zapper.ART_ART_05-11-08_B1_4JA5TI2.html

Some vendors have bragged about extraordinary power, amazing capabilities, outstanding performance - all without adequate proof. The vendors I mentioned on this page are well known, well reviewed, reliable, don't brag, and provide prompt, courteous customer support. There are other reputable vendors but my intention here was to give you a place to start. 

Where to go for more information

http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/Articles/VioletRayMisconceptions.htm Information on the history of violet ray and violet wand devices.

http://www.nickandmorphia.com/indexWhat.asp Based in England, this site has information useful to you if you are in Europe, or buying Violet Wand equipment for use in Europe. 

Please note: We do not accept any liability for any errors or omissions on this page. Nor can we vouch for the complete accuracy of information on linked pages. 

Author: Tim aka Ponygroom.  I have an Associate in Science, Eletronics Instrumentation Technology.  In my engineering career, I specialized in test stand design and quality control for electromechanical products.  I used high voltage discharge intruments in my work.

Last Update: March 17, 2017