Plasma Balls and TV

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
I is safe for my tv to put a plasma ball on or near it?
- Lee (age 10)
Cyprus
A:
I think it should be safe to put your plasma ball on top of or near your TV set. No appreciable current should flow into or out of the plasma ball (except on the power cord), because the glass is an insulator and the base should be grounded (or at least disconnected from anything). A small amount of charge is polarized in the glass, but damaging currents cannot flow.

Nonetheless, you may observe interference in your TV reception, particularly if you are watching an already weak broadcast signal. Turning off the plasma ball or relocating it may help.

Tom

(published on 10/22/2007)