Editing Plasma globe (section)

==Applications==
Plasma balls are mainly used as curiosities or toys for their unique lighting effects and the "tricks" that can be performed on them by users moving their hands around them. They might also form part of a school's laboratory equipment for demonstration purposes. They are not usually employed for general lighting. However, in recent years, some novelty stores have begun selling miniature plasma ball [[nightlight]]s that can be mounted on a standard light socket.<ref>[https://gizmodo.com/327065/plasma-ball-night-light-makes-us-nostalgic-for-bed-wetting Plasma Ball Night Light Makes Us Nostalgic For Bed Wetting] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908155122/https://gizmodo.com/327065/plasma-ball-night-light-makes-us-nostalgic-for-bed-wetting |date=2017-09-08 }}, gizmodo.com, 2007-11-27</ref><ref>[http://www.4physics.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/28/products_id/364 Plasma Night Light] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201083238/http://www.4physics.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/28/products_id/364 |date=2010-12-01 }}, 4physics.com, 2010-02-17</ref>

Plasma balls can be used for experimenting with [[high voltage]]s. If a conductive plate or wire coil is placed on the ball, [[capacitive coupling]] can transfer enough voltage to the plate or coil to produce a small [[electric arc|arc]] or energize a high voltage [[electrical load|load]]. This is possible because the plasma inside the ball and the conductor outside it act as plates of a capacitor, with the glass in between as a dielectric. A step-down transformer connected between the plate and the ball's electrode can produce lower-voltage, higher-current radio frequency output. Careful earth grounding is essential to prevent injury or damage to equipment.