The Leak Detector

 Leak detectors are another device based on the Tesla coil violet ray machine of the past.  These come with labels right on them that say to use them no longer than 10 minutes at a time or you will damage the coil over time.  (and here it is again, the dreaded 10 minute 'Wax Core' capacitor!) 

They also come with a label on them that says DO NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE SPARK.  That's because a leak detector isn't wired as safely to ground the same way as a violet wand.  See faustopheles' page for a bit more info about this. His article gets a little confusing because he calls --everything--- a violet wand but he explains perfectly well why a leak detector is not safe to use as a violet wand, and he explains a bit about what you could do to try to make one safer.

This is the device that hurt the person who sued a past violet wand seller who had to leave town.

If you suspect your 'violet wand' seller may be trying to pass you a leak detector with its 10-minute capacitor and dangerous hot-lead ground, just by taking off the labels, ask them about it.   A proper violet wand, engineered for kinky play with an extended capacitor and ground-wired to neutral, should run for hours without harm to its coils, so you need have no fear of it dying after a few short months.   Confusing the issue here, is if you are buying a 10-minute capacitor, it won't fail you right away.  But if you don't know it has a 10-minute capacitor, and run it for longer stretches, it will burn out on you within just a few months.  Usually a tip-off to these 'wax cores*' is a scary-short warranty period from the seller,  which is intended just to get you through those first few months.  Another tip-off is a price that is significantly below that of the reputable violet wand companies.

Proper violet wands should have a capacitor that allows you a MINIMUM 1 hour run time without needing to cool down.  Capacitors can vary, but there are violet wands with capacitors rated for up to 8 hours at a stretch, so 1 hour is a bare minimum you should insist on from a violet wand capacitors.  And--most importantly-- a proper violet wand is ground wired to neutral for safety.

Some good news though, leak detectors are American made, so they do accept violet wand electrodes. 

Verdict:  If you're going to use one, follow faustopheles' directions for checking the ground!!!  Otherwise if the current runs to ground while you're playing with someone with a leak detector, it could be fatal.  THEN-- AFTER you know your ground is correct, If you don't mind playing for only 10 minutes at a time, be my guest.  But educate yourself so you don't get stuck with something that wears out before your bottom partner does.