PLASMA GLOBE

OWNER’S GUIDE

P l a s m a D e s i g n
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Aurora Plasma Design
Plasma Globe! These mesmerizing pieces of art have captivated
audiences across the world for over 40 years. You can find them in
many of the worlds’ leading science museums, in art installations
and in private collections. It used to be that plasma globes of this
quality cost thousands of dollars, but with our line of Museum
Sized Plasma Globes, we’ve now brought them within reach of the
everyday consumer.

We’re glad that you’ve chosen to purchase one of our globes, and
we hope that it provides you with years of enjoyment. Before you
begin using your plasma globe, don’t forget to read the warnings at
the back of the manual! Some may be obvious, but others you might
not have thought of. For your own safety, and to ensure the life of
the plasma globe, it is very important that you read them thoroughly.

Continue reading for some tips on how to enjoy your plasma globe,
as well as a brief overview of plasma globes and how they work.

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Unpacking and Setting Up Your Globe

Keep your box and everything in it! The box that your plasma
globe came in is specially made for protecting your plasma globe.
Although unlikely, from time to time plasma globes can fail, and
if that should happen, you will need your box so that we can
safely ship your plasma globe back to us for warranty repair or
replacement.

To set up your plasma globe, find a suitable location away from

direct sunlight, and preferably somewhere where you are able
to dim the lights. Remember to keep the globe away from any
metal objects or surfaces, as these may be a shock hazard when
the plasma globe is powered on. (The plasma globe has a low-
amperage current, so the shock is not dangerous. It’s more like a
shock of static electricity—safe, but unpleasant.) Once you have
your plasma globe in place, operating it is as simple as plugging it in
and turning it on.

To extend the life of the electronics and the gases in the plasma
globe, only leave the display turned on when there are people
around to appreciate it. In addition, do not leave the plasma globe
at full power for an extended period. All electronics slowly wear out
over time, so turning the globe off when you are not around will
ensure that you get the most out of the life of your globe.

Plugging in the power adapter Power adjustment dial

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Playing With Your Plasma Globe

Your plasma globe is bright enough to be visible in a lighted room,

but you will not get a very good effect in bright light. To get the best
experience from your plasma globe, we recommend that you place
it away from direct light, preferably in a darkened room. Once you’ve
found the right place for your globe, just relax, dim the lights, and
enjoy the show that your plasma globe has to offer.

Plasma globes love to be touched, so don’t hesitate in doing so.

In fact, some of the most interesting effects can only be achieved
through contact or close proximity with the globe. Go ahead and
experiment! Try using your whole palm, or just your fingertips, or
even just a single fingertip. See what happens when you lightly
hover your hand above the surface of the glass. Put your hands
on different parts of the globe and see how the plasma reacts
when your hands are in different positions. Try the plasma globe
at different power levels; some effects can only be seen when the
plasma globe is at low power. There are a lot of different things you
can try with your plasma globe, but the numerous possibilities are
sure to keep you captivated for quite some time.

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A Brief Overview of Plasma Globes
So you’re still reading? You mean you haven’t already thrown out
the manual and started playing with your plasma globe? Well, keep
reading and we’ll tell you a bit about plasma globes and how they
work. (And please, keep this manual. You may need it.)

Who Invented the Plasma Globe?

The plasma globe, in its infant form, was

invented by Nikola Tesla (1856-1943),
although he didn’t call it a plasma globe—
the name for his invention was the “Inert
Gas Discharge Tube.” It was a machine
that used high-frequency electricity to
create lightning-like electrical phenomena
inside of a glass chamber. It wasn’t until
1971 that Bill Parker, a physics student at
MIT, conceived the plasma globe as we
Nikola Tesla holding one of his famous
know it today. Building upon the principles
that Tesla had pioneered, Parker came up
“wireless” lamps.

with techniques to create the many different colors and effects that
can be seen in modern plasma globes.

What Is Plasma, And What Does It Have to Do

With Plasma Globes?

Plasma globes got their name because

they really do contain “plasma.” Plasma
is often referred to as the “fourth state
of matter.” It is the most common state
of matter in the universe—the stars
themselves are made of it. Plasma occurs
when a gas becomes electrically charged A plume of plasma rises off the surface of
the Sun in a “Solar Prominence”

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(or “ionized”) and the electrons begin to break off from the atoms
and move around freely. Unlike a typical gas, plasma is electrically
conductive and responds strongly to the effects of electromagnetic
fields. Applying an electromagnetic field to plasma can cause it to
form into structures such as filaments, beams, and double layers.
These structures are what give shape to the moving tendrils of light
that you see in the plasma globe.

When a plasma globe is turned on, the gas inside the globe is
charged with a high-voltage current from the power supply. The high
voltage of the current causes the gas to ionize and turn into plasma.
This turns the entire plasma globe into a conductor, allowing the
electricity from the electrode to travel through the plasma and
escape through the air.

At the same time, the power sup-

ply emits a high-frequency current,
alternating at thousands of times
per second, and this high-frequen-
cy current creates an oscillating
electromagnetic field. This electro-
magnetic field interacts with the The Northern Lights are an example of ionized plasma

plasma and causes the electrons

from the sun interacting with the earth’s magnetic field.

and ions to move around, exciting

the surrounding atoms. When the atoms
become excited, they quickly release their energy, and this energy is
emitted in the form of light. As the electricity from the center of the
globe attempts to escape, it creates ion trails, and these trails act
as a path for the other electrons. When a large quantity of electrons
move along the same path, a plasma tendril is formed, and the
atoms emit enough light that the tendril becomes visible. The color
of the light you see depends on what gases are present inside the
globe.

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What’s Involved In Creating Different Plasma
Effects?

To create a particular plasma effect, rare gases must be combined in

exact proportions and at a specific pressure. This gas mixture must
then be matched to the volume of the globe and to the electrical
characteristics of the power supply in order to obtain the desired
plasma effect. The pressure of the gas mixture plays a large part in
determining the shape of the plasma effect. In general, the higher
the pressure of the gas, the thinner and more sharp the plasma arcs
will be. The lower the pressure, the wider and softer the arcs will be.
When the pressure is low enough, a unique effect becomes possible
at reduced power levels, somewhat like a glowing aurora borealis
around the electrode core.

Each gas that is used has particular colors and properties that are
peculiar to it. For example, neon gives off a reddish-orange color
when charged, krypton gives off a white color, xenon gives off a
blueish color, and argon gives off a sort of purple color. By
combining different gases, one is able to control the color, shape,
and motion of the plasma effect. “Rare” gases (also known as
“noble” gases) are used for their unique properties and because of
their low chemical reactivity—this ensures that the gases will not
react with each other and degrade the plasma effect. It also ensures
that the gas mixture will not break down over time.

Some of our various plasma globe effects.

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Before a plasma globe is filled, it is first baked in an oven to remove
any water vapor. Then, it is hooked up to a vacuum pump system
and evacuated to 0.001 Torr (99.999% Vacuum). After the globe has
been evacuated it is filled with the precise gas mixture specified in
the formula. It is then permanently sealed, ensuring that no gas can
get in or out of the globe.

Once this process is completed, the final assembly is done. The

inside of the electrode is coated with conductive silver paint (this
is used to hide the internal wiring and to evenly distribute the
electricity), and then the wires and housing are run up into the
central stem. The glass globe is then secured to the base, and
the power supply and circuit-board are mounted and wired to the
electrode. Lastly, the base is sealed up, and the globe is tested,
packed, and made ready to go. Once the globe reaches us, it is
again inspected and subjected to rigorous testing to ensure the
quality of the plasma effect and the durability of the electronics. After
that, it gets sent out to you!

Conclusion
We hope you’ve learned a little bit about plasma globes from reading
this! Plasma globes are captivating machines that will provide you
with a lifetime of fascination. There’s nothing quite like harnessing
lightning on your countertop. We know that you will enjoy your
plasma globe for years to come, and if you have any questions or
problems, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 1.800.665.5656, or at
604.299.7511 for international customers.

On the next page you will find a fun experiment that you can try out
with your plasma globe. Go ahead, we think you’ll enjoy it.

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Experiment
If you have any Fluorescent Lights lying around, you can use one to
perform a really neat experiment with your globe. Here’s how to
do it:

1) Find a Fluorescent Tube or

a Compact Fluorescent (aka
“Energy-Saver”) Bulb to use for
the experiment. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (left/center), Fluorescent Tube (Right)

2) Turn the Plasma Globe on at Full Power.

3) Being careful not to touch any metal on the Fluorescent Bulb,

hold the Bulb by the glass, bring it close to the Plasma Globe, and
see what happens. The Fluorescent Light should turn on!

4) If you are using a straight Fluorescent Tube, experiment with the

position of your hands on the tube. You should notice that the tube
will only light up between the plasma globe and your hand. This is
because your hand acts as a ground.

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Why Does this Work?

Fluorescent lighting works similarly to plasma globes, by illuminating

the gas inside them using a high-frequency current. When you put
the fluorescent light close to the plasma globe, the electromagnetic
field around the globe induces a current inside the fluorescent tube,
causing the tube to illuminate in much the same way as if it were
plugged in.

Variation on the Experiment

This experiment can also be performed with a

neon flicker bulb. Neon flicker bulbs are the
small teardrop or candle-flame shaped bulbs
that are often used to simulate candle-light in
chandeliers and other decorative lighting. They
have a bright orange flickering movement that
looks similar to a burning candle. You can find Neon Flicker Bulb

them in most home-hardware stores, as well

as in other large stores that sell decorative lighting.

Neon flicker bulbs are filled with

low-pressure neon gas, and
instead of a filament, they have
two small flat electrodes inside
them that energize the neon
gas. Neon flicker bulbs are very
sensitive to the magnetic fields
generated by a plasma globe, and
Flicker Bulb reacting to the Plasma Globe’s field.

will begin to glow when they are several inches away from the globe.
By putting a flicker bulb close to your plasma globe, you can get lots
of neat effects inside of the bulb, some of them similar to plasma
globe effects. The effects should become more intense as you bring
the bulb closer to the plasma globe.

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All the Necessary Warnings
Please look over the following warnings. Some of them
are not immediately obvious, but they are important
for you to understand. For your own safety, and
to ensure the life of the plasma globe, it is very
important that you read them thoroughly.

Safety Tips
Keep your plasma globe away from any metal objects or
metal surfaces, and do not touch any grounded metal while
your hand is on an energized plasma globe! If you do, you will
get a very startling shock. The plasma globe has a low-amperage
current, so the shock is not dangerous. It’s more like a shock of
static electricity; it will probably be unpleasant, so we suggest you
avoid it.

Remove any rings or other metallic jewelry from your hands

before handling a live plasma globe. Do not touch your plasma
globe with metallic objects. Touching your plasma globe with
a metal object may cause an electrical arc to form at the glass
surface, which could cause small skin burns and may be a fire
hazard. Because the human nervous system is not sensitive to high
frequency currents you may not be aware that you are receiving a
skin burn until after it has happened.

Keep your plasma globes away from liquids of any kind. If

water or any other liquid is spilled on your plasma globe, turn it off
immediately. Do not handle the plasma globe with wet hands, as this
could cause you to get shocked.

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Protecting Your Globe
Plasma globes emit high-frequency radio waves which
may cause interference in nearby electrical devices such as
telephones, wireless remote-control devices, AM radios, answering
machines, computer monitors, or television sets. If this happens,
move the device away or turn off the device.

Plasma globes can interfere with each other if two or more

globes are operating within 2-3 feet of each other. The plasma
globes may become damaged through this interference. If you have
more than one plasma globe, keep them at a safe distance from
each other, at least 3 feet apart.

USB cable devices should not be operated near energized

plasma globes. Touching an energized plasma globe and a USB
cable at the same time may cause damage to a device connected
to the USB cable.

Always unplug your plasma globe before cleaning the glass.

Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean your plasma globe, as this
could permanently damage the glass. Small scratches to the glass
can be sealed with clear nail polish thinned with lacquer thinner.

Do not turn your plasma globe on and off continuously, or

connect it to a power source that is turned on and off continuously
(such as a sound-activated circuit). Doing so may cause the
electronics to overheat and become permanently damaged.

Keep the plasma globe in a well-ventilated area, and do not

leave it turned on at full power for an extended period of
time. Only run the globe at the highest power setting when there is
someone there to appreciate the plasma image. Turning the globe
off when you are not using it will increase the life of the globe.

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Warranty Terms
If your plasma globe fails, do not attempt to perform repairs yourself!
Doing so may void your warranty. If you experience any issues with
your plasma globe, please contact us immediately so that we can
arrange for repairs or replacement. Contact information can be
found on the back page of this manual.

Your plasma globe is covered under warranty from defect for 1 year
from date of purchase (when used for non-commercial purposes).
If your globe has problems after the 1-year period is up, you must
contact us for details on out-of-warranty service. Out-of-warranty
service will be determined on a case to case basis. Repairs or
replacements that are made outside of the warranty period may be
subject to shipping and services fees. This warranty does not apply
to damage caused through tampering, negligence or abuse. In the
case that your plasma globe fails within the warranty period, we
will repair or replace it at our cost. Remember to keep the original
packaging, as you will need it to repackage the plasma globe before
it is sent back to us.

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 Information for
Emerald Fury Globe Owners:
Your new “Emerald Fury” plasma globe was created
using significant amounts of xenon gas. We have found
that this gas mixture is sometimes harder to ignite than
our less energetic globes. It may be necessary to turn the
globe’s power setting to maximum and touch the gas to
initiate the plasma display. Once started, the power can
be dialed back to the desired setting.

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 Contact Us
We’re always available during business hours to answer any
questions or address any issues you might have. Call us toll free at
1.800.665.5656, and we’d be happy to help you. For international
customers, call us at 604.299.7511. Our Business Hours are
8:00AM to 4:00PM PST, Monday to Friday (except holidays).You can
also contact us by e-mail at [email protected].

If you like your plasma globe, the best way to help us out is to
go to auroraplasmadesign.com and leave a review! Leaving a
favorable review of your globe will help prospective buyers to know
what they are purchasing, and will give them the confidence they
need to make the leap and purchase one of their very own Museum-
Sized Plasma Globes. If you have any issues with your globe, please
don’t hesitate to call or email us.

We are continually working on new effects for our Plasma Globes.

Check in with our website periodically to find out about new and
exciting designs! Visit our website at auroraplasmadesign.com.

P l a s m a D e s i g n

63 Glacier Street
Coquitlam, BC V3K 5Z1
CANADA
toll free: 1.800.665.5656
local: 604.299.7511

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