For the Lab Coordinator

1. Remove the yellow lead that shorts out the capacitors for storage.
2. Connect Eisco 1030 Regulated power supply. The capacitor is polarized and care should be used to make sure they are connected correctly since it will damage the capacitor if polarity is reversed. Use the black (negative) and green (positive) connection to the regulated output (right bottom), use a black lead from the negative output and connect to the black connector on the three capacitors in parallel.
3. Connect a green lead to the positive output and connect it to the green connector on the three capacitors in parallel assembly.
4. Connect the red lead to the zapper rod but don’t connect the other end of the lead yet. You should be ready to charge the capacitors through the resistor.
5. Turn on the power supply, flip the switch to the right to select the regulated power supply, flip the toggle for the regulated power supply to on, turn the VDC dial and make sure that the voltage does not exceed 150 volts (right display).
6. The current will drop to zero when the capacitor is charged (left display).
7. Remove the black lead from the power supply and plug it into the large plate. The capacitor is now connected to the plate.
8. Remove the green lead from the capacitors and turn off the power supply.
9. Plug in a red lead into the rod and then the other end plug it into the charged capacitors using the red connector. This will set up the rod to discharge without passing through the resistor.
10. With caution touch the rod to the plate. There should be a large zap and sparks as the capacitors discharge into the plate.
11. Reconnect the yellow lead to the black and red connections on the capacitors. This should short out the capacitors and render them safe for storage.

For the Instructor
Part 1: Charging the Capacitor

1. Start by removing the yellow leads that short out the capacitor.
2. Turn the knife switch to the up position (it is not charging or discharging).
3. Turn on the power supply. It will take 15 seconds to warm up.
4. Look at the voltage display on the right. It should not exceed 150 volts.
5. Look at the ammeter on the left. The current will slowly drop as the capacitor becomes charged. When zero the capacitor is charged.
6. Turn the knife switch to the left where it says CHARGE.

Part 2: Zapping

1. Turn the knife switch to the right where it says DISCHARGE.
2. Get a safe grip on the zapper and touch to either the plate or the tin foil. Touching the plate may weld the rod to it so that it stands up. The tin foil makes the best spark but carries the danger of leaving some residual charges (usually another touch - highly recommended - will complete the process).

To finish up, turn off the power supply and reconnect the yellow leads to short the capacitor.