The Physics
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An encyclopedia of scientific essays

Voltage of a Stun Gun

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Stun Gun Info. Security Planet Corp. "Stun guns and stun batons use a static charge deployment (from 100,000 volts–600,000 volts)." 100–600 kV
Talon Stun Guns. Family Defense Products. "The Talon Stun Gun uses the new patent pending Phase Technology. You can literally hear the difference. The Talon disrupts the signal from the brain to the muscles, causing the assailant to drop -- trying to remember how to use his arms and legs. Available in 80,000 volts, 200,000 volts, and 250,000 volts." 80–250 kV
Stun Batons. Family Defense Products. "The Panther Stun Baton Packages, either 300,000 volts (11 inches long) or the new 500,000 volts (15 inches long), have voltage boost capacitors which make these stun batons outperform other batons rated at higher voltage!" 300–500 kV
Stun Master 625,000 volt. Family Defense Products. "The Stun Master 625,000 volt stun gun is powerful protection for you and your loved ones." 625 kV
SPC-65S Security Plus® Civilian - 65,000 volt Stun Gun. Security Planet Corp. "The SPC-65S 65,000-Volt Security Plus® Civilian is one of the most popular mini stun guns on the market!" 65 kV

A stun gun is a non-lethal, legal way to deter possible assailants. Stun guns work by delivering a high voltage shock to the person it is being used on. A stun gun keys into the nervous system and dumps its energy into the muscles at a high frequency that makes the muscles work very rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes blood sugar by converting it into lactic acid and in turn causes an inability to move and function. As the stun gun is being used on an assailant, tiny neurological impulses that travel throughout the body to direct muscle movement are interrupted. This causes disorientation and loss of balance and leaves the attacker in a passive and confused condition for several minutes. Stun guns have no harmful long term effects on the heart, other organs, or the body in general.

Usually, a short blast one-half a second long will cause minor muscle contractions and will be accompanied by some pain. This will have a startling and repelling effect. A moderate blast one to two seconds long will cause muscle spasms and cause an attacker to fall to the ground, resulting in some mental confusion. A full charge over three or more seconds can immobilize an attacker, causing mental confusion and disorientation, loss of balance and muscle control. This causes the attacker to fall to the ground and leaves them weak and dazed for some minutes afterwards.

Most stun guns fall within the one hundred to five hundred kilo-volt range, but the voltage can range from as little as sixty-five kilo-volts, to as much as six hundred twenty-five kilo-volts.

Jonathan Hamill -- 2002