Wasp spray can tells me “Dielectric breakdown voltage of 47,300 volts”. What are they trying to tell me?
In: Chemistry
Dielectric strength, or dielectric breakdown potential, is how much voltage is required before an electric arc can jump across a gap. For air, it takes around 3000 volts to jump a 1mm gap, give or take, depending on temperature and humidity and ionization.
The 47.3kV number is talking about the cloud of mist that comes out of the can, and it means if you’re at zero volts and that cloud touches something that’s at 47 thousand volts, you could get an arc from the charged object, through the cloud, into the can. From there, the juice could decide to go up your arm, and if you’re really unlucky it could ignite the can propellant. Small fireball. Scorched eyebrows. If the gods really hate you, you fall off your ladder and break something.
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