USB Plasma Ball
A USB-powered globe filled with lightning that you can touch.
Overview
Plug in a USB Plasma Ball and electrify your desktop.
Plasma filaments dance from the glass globe's electrode to its outer surface. Touch the glass globe with your finger to painlessly arc the beams into a concentrated cluster under your hand. The effect is painless, beautiful, and incredibly intriguing.
For people who like:
Features & specs
- Desktop plasma lamp powered by USB-A
- No software required
- Sphere material: glass
- 4" diameter (base) x 5.5" tall
- On/off switch
- 4 foot long USB cable (1.21 meters)
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Lightning in a bottle
Believe it or not, plasma is not just another made-up sci-fi technobabble word like warp drive, cryostasis, or gravity*. Plasma is the fourth state of matter alongside solids, liquids, and gasses.
The noble gas trapped in this ball is excited by electricity and creates plasma filaments between the center of the sphere and the glass shell. Touching the ball concentrates and intensifies the excited gas into beautiful light coronas you can control by moving your hands around the surface of the glass.
Designs for plasma balls created by electrical pioneer Nikola Tesla gave way to totally rad novelty toys in the '80s, and this updated design is powered by USB.
*Gravity is totally a real thing too.
Get one for each finger in your hand.
Plasma power
The USB Plasma Ball contains an electrode that's efficient enough to be powered by a standard USB Type-A plug. That means you can you can plug it into your computer or cell phone's wall charger. Simply plug it in, turn it on, and let the sparks fly!
Behold, the power of the sun in the palm of your hand!
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Does it hurt?
Answer: No, touching the USB Plasma Ball is completely painless.
Question: Is it loud?
Answer: When plugged in and even while touching it, the USB Plasma ball is nearly silent. If you put your ear up to the globe in a library-quiet room, you can hear whispered popping sounds as the plasma filaments discharge and vibrate the glass globe.
Burning Questions: You Ask and We Answer
Burning Questions: You ask and we answer!
Your questions that have been answered by the Vat19.com staff:
can i power it with batteries?
Yes. The manufacturer has recently included a battery compartment.
how does it work
We aren't rocket scientists, but we have a simple explanation. The glass ball is a vacuum filled with low-pressure inert gas. There is a metal ball inside and when it is connected to a power supply the gas generates sparks that look like lightning.
I want know... can i connect the plasma ball ,whit USB adapter, directly in the eletrical plug (120v)?
Absolutely. Most USB/AC adapters have resistors in them to prevent the higher current of the AC outlet from frying whatever you plug into it.
Can It Shock You?
There is not a risk of shock if you use the USB Plasma Ball properly and keep it away from water/liquids.
I put my finger on it and after I took it off there was a burning like smell on my finger. Is this normal?
It is. What you're smelling is ozone.
Can it ever run out of gas and stop working?
The gas inside will remain active for many years.
Can I plug the plasma ball into an iPhone charger? Will the plasma ball work?
Yep! It can be plugged into any powered USB port.
Why is the outside of a plasma ball glass and not plastic?
The plasma effect only works with glass; it will not work with plastic.
What would happen if you break the glass that has the electricity and turn it on?
Nothing. The gas would escape and the plasma ball would no longer work.
Will the gas leak if it gets old?
The bulb is completely air tight, so none of the gasses will escape even as it ages.
Is it dishwasher safe?
No, no it is not.
Will our hands hurt when we touch it?
Nope! Plasma balls are perfectly safe to use and will not harm you if used properly.
Does it actually cause an electric charge to make your hair stand?
No, we were just being silly. Sorry for the confusion!
How tall is the plasma ball?
The USB Plasma Ball is 5.5 inches tall.
I am using this as desktop display, online says dont leaave on for too long? will it break if leave on for days> how long?
Being left on can cause it to simply wear out. We recommend turning it off or unplugging it when you're not using it.
What if you put the plasma ball outside?
Nothing. It'll just be outside then. It might be a little harder to see the plasma in direct sunlight.
How thin is the glass on the plasma ball?
Very thin, so do try avoid dropping it!
Why is my plasma ball messing with my wireless mouse and keyboard?
It's likely causing interference with the wireless signal communicating between your keyboard/mouse and computer. Try moving the Plasma Ball over a little bit and see if that helps.
Is it ok to leave it on all night?
Absolutely. The USB Plasma Ball is perfectly safe to leave on for extended periods of time.
How long does it last?
Plasma Balls will last for a very long time with normal use. If you leave your USB Plasma Ball on non-stop it will eventually begin to wear out after a few months.
Will it shock you if you put your tongue on it?
Don't lick electronic items.
I've seen larger versions of these that can make static electricity to shock people. Does this ball do the same effect?
We've never been shocked by a USB Plasma Ball.
Is it okay for me to hold my hand on the plasma ball for a while?
Sure. It won't hurt you or the plasma ball.
How long does it last (if used properly)?
You can get years of use out of your USB Plasma Ball.
What if you leave it on and crack it will the energy be spreading every where around the room?
No. The gas inside will quickly disperse and the Plasma Ball will stop working instantly.
will it really make your hair stand???
No, we were just being a little silly.
Will this hurt you?
No, the USB Plasma Ball will not harm you.
When shipping, will t break. The shipping could be bumpy. Do you give money back if it was already broken by shipping?
We take every precaution necessary to prevent breaking in transit. If something does arrive damaged we will be more than happy to assist with a refund or replacement.
what gas is it?
Plasma balls contain a mixture of gasses, but the primary gas in question is neon.
how many does it take to control the world? ? ? ?
At least thirty. You should place an order right away.
will it ever explode??????????
Nope!
Is it made out of glass?
That is correct!
I got one and if i put my hole hand or rather a large area say a whole thumb it gets a little hot if i hold it long time will it burn it and break it or get so hot it basically burn me or breaks it ? or will it just stay warm until i take off myFinge
Nothing would happen. It would just feel slightly warm.
What happens when i brake the glass?
You ruin the device. Pretty straightforward, right?
Can it kill you??
Maybe if you tried eating it, but apart from that the USB Plasma Ball is completely harmless.
Will I be able to control the universe if I get 200 of these?
It's hard to say, but you'll definitely make us very happy if you were to purchase 200!
Would the plasma ball create performance issues on my computer? will it in any way drain even the slightest amount of performance? (not the fastest computer here :P)
Absolutely not. No software is being run to operate the USB Plasma Ball.
How much memory does it hold?
It does not hold any memory, as it is not a USB Flash Drive. It is simply USB-powered.
If i use an USB converter, then I plug it in to the power outlet will it work properly?
Yes it will. That's exactly what those converters are meant to do.
Can I repair the glass if it breaks?
No. Breaking the glass will permanently ruin your plasma ball.
Will it shock your tongue if you lick it?
I think a good rule of thumb is to not lick anything that is plugged into a wall outlet.
Will it work with mac, and what if it doesn't work when I receive it?
The USB Plasma Ball will work with any device that has a powered USB port. If for some reason it doesn't work when you receive it, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Plasma Ball will electric me when I touch the ball?
I can put four AAA battery in the plasma ball?
You do not need to worry about being electrocuted when touching the Plasma Ball, though you may get a little static shock if you bump against something metal.
Is there a power button or switch on this ball?
Yes, the USB Plasma Ball has an on/off switch.
Cant you plug the power into a wall outlet.
Not unless you have an AC to USB adapter, such as those that come with modern smartphones.
If I touch it with any part of my body will it do the plasma effect?
Yes it will. Please don't do what I think you're about to do.
How many days do you have to return?
All orders are backed by a 30 day money back guarantee. For more information, please review our return policy.
is there a fire hazard?
Not as long as you use it properly.
If you buy 5000 of them what happens when you touch all of them?
Then you can celebrate your status as the person with the largest hands in the world.
(SILLY QUESTION WARNING) What happend if you put your tongue in that plasma ball?
Depends on how you do it. The saliva from your tongue will actually conduct electricity through the glass, so if you just use the tip of your tongue you'll be in for a nasty shock.
Why is it so cheap?
We're sorry. Let us know when you place your order and we'll be more than happy to charge you twice as much.
Does it make any noise?
No. The USB Plasma Ball is silent.
Does it actually shock you?
No, but if you keep your hand on it and touch something metal sometimes you can get a slight static shock.
Please list the size of the connection as I would like to buy another USB cable.
The USB cable terminates in a standard round 5V DC socket.
Is the plasma ball flammable?
No, nor is there ever any reason to set it on fire.
I saw a YouTube video of someone touching a plasma ball and metal and left burn marks on both the finger and the painted metal object. It's actually a burn, not just a shock.
That's right. You can do that with any plasma ball. It's also something you should never do.
Plasma is just a state of matter right? Just like that solid computer or liquid filled pool. So what exactly did you heat up to turn it to plasma (What gas is in there when it's not plasma)
The same gas as most other plasma balls: neon. Sometimes they contain combinations of other gasses, such as argon, krypton, or xenon.
If I break the glass and turn it on will it hurt me?
Possibly, but do you really need to be told that? It's not going to send waves of plasma through the room, but it will still be a damaged electrical device plugged into an outlet.
Is the dome glass?
Yes, the bulb which contains the amazing electric display is made of glass.
How long does the plasma ball run?
For as long as it's plugged in!
if you place aluminum foil over the surface, can you draw the beams out like other plasma balls?
Yes but we don't recommend doing it because it can damage the plasma ball.
Does the usb work with Windows 10?
Your operating system makes no difference. If it's a powered USB port then the USB Plasma Ball will work with it. This even includes AC-to-USB adapters that plug into the wall.
How long is it's lifespan?
We don't have an exact lifespan, but most plasma balls will last for many years before wearing out. Some of the ones we have from the video are still working and those were from 2007. It will largely depend on how long let you let it run.
What if it breaks?
Then it will no longer work. Nothing too exciting.
Can it predict the future? :P
I knew you were going to ask that. Does that answer your question?
Does it have a battery compartment? I really wish it did...
If it does, what will the battery size be?
Yes. The manufacturer has recently included a battery compartment. It requires AA batteries.
Is it hot and if yes why?
If you leave your hand on the USB Plasma Ball for a few minutes it might get a little warm, but definitely not hot.
will it work with a xbox usb port?
We don't have an Xbox here to test (I know, we are so deprived!) but we don't see why it would not work. The USB Plasma Ball is only using power from the port.
Will this mess up my electronic equipment? Especially monitors and mouses (wireless and wired)?
We've played with the USB Plasma Ball pretty extensively, and no one here has noticed any issues.
Is this all true? Because if you can do that with the plasma ball that would be awesome like you guys.
Your results may vary.
do i see a mouse rug cross promo in that pic? ;)
Yes you do!
What happens if you put 2 USB Plasma Balls next to eachother (touching eachother)?
The two plasma balls will react to each other. Nothing too exciting, really.
Will this break the computer?
No, the USB Plasma Ball will not damage your computer.
Will this product make me cooler than I already know I am?
Your coolness grows exponentially with every dollar spent at Vat19.
If I have an iPod or an iPad charger will that work?
Yes. The "U" in USB stands for Universal.
Can I plug it into a wall? Or will I get electrocuted? Because I'm only 11 and I wouldn't want that...
If you have an AC/USB adapter, sure. It will not electrocute you.
How long can you leave it on?
As long as you'd like as Plasma Balls will last for a very long time with normal use. If you leave your USB Plasma Ball on non-stop it will eventually begin to wear out after a few months. As long as you turn it off when it's not in use you should be fine.
Will it hurt when I touch it or is that just video effects?
The USB Plasma Ball will not hurt you in any way if used properly.
Can it break easily if you drop it? And if it does break, are the gasses dangerous?
The gasses are inert and not at all dangerous, but you probably shouldn't try dropping or breaking the bulb.
Why Does It Need To Be Plugged In Into USB?
That is how it is powered.
Can this be used with a 120v adapter and is it dangerous?
The USB Plasma Ball can be used with one of those USB/AC adapters usually used for small electronics such as phones. It could be dangerous to try rigging a different type of adapter.
Does it make your hair stand up?
No, we were just being silly. Sorry for the confusion!
What happens if you cover it with your hand?
The shafts of electric current inside would be attracted to your hand and the bulb might get a little warm, but that's all.
How long is the USB cord?
The cord is 4 feet long.
Will this actually make your hair stand up?
That would be cool, but it does not do that.
Will it plug into any USB outlet? The video said "PC and Mac compatible." I think.
Yes, it will fit in any standard USB port.
will the usb plasma ball work with a non apple laptop????
Yes, it will work with any USB port.
Is it safe to plug into a USB outlet or a power brick that plugs into an outlet? I wasn't sure if the voltage change would be dangerous or something.
Yes, you can use a USB outlet.
Will it shock you? (im not a fan of electricity shocks. :P)
Not unless you do something dangerous like wrap it in tin foil or fray the wire. Plasma Balls aren't supposed to shock people.
What if I bought 19 of them?
We would be very thankful!
When I touch the plasma ball, it makes a high pitch noice in addition to the normal functions. Is that normal and can that be averted? I have 2 of them and they both make a high pitch noice.
That is a completely normal aspect of most plasma balls.
What should I do if I accidentally break it?
Clean up the glass and throw it away.
What happens if it breaks? Do We Get a refund?
That depends. If it arrives broken or defective we will be happy to issue a refund or replacement. If it breaks because you were careless with it then there is nothing we can do for you.
broken easily? if broken, dangerous?
Yes, broken glass is very dangerous.
I've had this idea scratching at my head for months now. Would it be possible to make a guitar out of glass and compress it with the gas needed to make the entire guitar like the plasma ball, or even just the fingerboard?
Maybe! You'll have to ask a guitar manufacturer about that one.
does it really puff up your hair? if it does, than that is awesome!!!
No, we were just being silly.
If I plug it in, and have batteries in it, will it recharge the batteries? I just want to know so my nonchargeable batteries won't leak acid causing chaos.
No, it will NOT recharge your batteries.
Approximately how big is it?
The measurements can be found at the top of the page under "Features and Specs".
Is it like a usb that can hold memory?
The USB is only for power. It does not actually store any information.
Will This Drane My Laptop's Battery Faster?
The USB Plasma ball doesn't use very much energy, but it does use some energy which means that your battery may drain a little more quickly.
Does the computer havt to be on in order to work?
Some computers power supplies deliver power to the USB ports even when the computer is turned off, but not all have this feature.
Whats inside it?
The glass ball is a vacuum filled with low-pressure inert gas. There is a metal ball inside and when it is connected to a power supply the gas generates sparks that look like lightning.
How small is the USB?
The USB plug is the same size as any other USB. That's part of the wonder of USB hardware... it's universal!
what if i cracked the plasma ball will it shock me?
We don't think so. We've never cracked or broken one!
it's not even useful! like what can u do with it?!?!? just decoration??
The USB Plasma Ball basically sits near your computer and looks cool. Is it not enough to have a mini plasma ball of your very own?
Is using this plasma ball safer than using a regular one?
We exactly aren't sure what your concerns are with a regular sized plasma ball, but as long as you keep the USB Plasma Ball away from water and use it as instructed, it is safe to use.
Will the USB plasma ball shut off when the computer goes into suspend or sleep mode?
If you have the USB Plasma Ball's power switch set to On, then the USB Plasma Ball will remain powered when the computer goes into sleep mode.
Is the outside layer glass or plastic? If it is glass, will it be a good weapon to cut steak?
The USB Plasma Ball has a glass globe with a plastic base. We at Vat19 do not promote the idea of using glass to cut food, for obvious reasons.
Which is better (or brighter ) - the ones powered by 5 V or by 12V??
That's up to you. Which one is "better" depends entirely on what you want out of a Plasma Ball.
I broke one of the springs of my plasma ball. Can I somehow fix it?
We're afraid not. Plasma Balls are a closed system and opening them will permanently ruin the machine.
Does the Plasma ball work without the charger?
No. It must be plugged into something to work.
If the glass breaks and it's on what will happen?
It will stop working. Please don't break your USB Plasma Ball.
This thing's beautiful but it keeps interfering with my speakers (creating crackling) and keyboard (nearby keys don't work while it's on). It's unfortunate for a usb device, and I'm a little worried it might harm my computer. Do you know if it might?
No, it will not harm your computer. Your speakers are simply picking up naturally occurring frequencies emitted by the entirely unshielded plasma ball. This can also happen if you place your cell phone next to a speaker when it's receiving a call.
Do people with pacemakers need to keep at least 3 feet away from the plasma ball due to the electric fields?
We're not doctors or authorities on the topic, but you should exercise caution if that might be an issue. The USB Plasma Ball does not emit magnetic or microwaves, so we don't think there is too much of a risk.
Is it dangerous to touch another person while touching the Plasma Ball?
It might be a little shocking, but certainly not dangerous.
are all the USB powered things (Like this and the lightbulb and the others) prone to surges, or are they protected from stuff like that?
They do not feature any sort of surge protection.
Can you clean it with a rag?
Sure!
My laptop is always plugged in so will this still work?
As long as the USB port has power, the USB Plasma Ball will always work.
Is the sphere made of glass?
Yes, the orb is made of glass.
How far will it allow me to see into the future?
That depends on how many you use. One or two might only afford you a brief glimpse into next Thursday, but several dozen will open the secrets of the next Satya Yuga!
How long does this last?
Plasma Balls will last for a very long time with normal use. If you leave your USB Plasma Ball on non-stop it will eventually begin to wear out after a few months.
If i keep my hand on it too long will the plasma ball get wrecked?
No, but it will eventually get pretty warm.
How long is the USB cord for the plasma ball?
The cord is 4ft long.
What are the materials used in making the Plasma Ball?
Glass, plastic, inert gasses and metal. The sum of these parts is obviously quite complex, but the science behind plasma balls is widely available online.
Does it has a similar visual brightness in the morning ?
The USB Plasma Ball definitely looks best in a dark room or out of direct sunlight. It may look a little faint if the room it is in is brightly lit by the morning sun.
if you fire a usb launcher missile at it, will it have the same effect as touching it with your finger?
The missile would simply hit the USB Plasma Ball and bounce off of it, but during the brief moment of contact it would have the same effect.
is it plasma or electricity. If electricity can it create electricity outside?
Plasma is the fourth state of matter - as the ball becomes energised, the gases inside light up and turn into plasma. By touching the outside of the ball, you provide a path for the energy to escape, so you can produce amazing effects.
What is the oldest Vat19 product still on this website? Would this be it? Because if so I may purchase it
No. Our first non-DVD product was the Fireplace Scented Candle.
Will touching it charge you with static?
Only a tiny bit. It wouldn't be anywhere close to those balls which make your hair stand on end.
Can you take it apart?
Not intentionally. We don't recommend dismantling the USB Plasma Ball.
Will this cause any sort of electrical interference when plugged into a computer?
No. They have USB cables, so the whole idea was to plug them into your computer.
Is it bad for it to turn it off and on several times in say a minute?
Generally speaking you should avoid flipping any electronic device off and on repeatedly.
Does it hurt when you touch it? do you need to stand on something first before you touch it?
Thanks,
-J.
Nope! The USB Plasma Ball doesn't hurt at all.
Having five will I actually get a genie? Probably not just asking
Your results may vary.
What happens if the glass breaks?
The Plasma Ball stops working. Pretty simple, really.
Does it at least shock a little?
Nope. These sort of Plasma Balls were never designed to shock people.
What happens if the glass breaks?
The Plasma Ball will no longer work.
Will I get electric shocks from touching things when I finish using it?
Not unless you're made of batteries or something.
Can I put this into my ipod usb outlet charger (it uses usb so i can use it for other things rather than charging)?
Yes. You can use any powered USB port.
Is it safe to leave on over night?
You can, but over time this may cause the gasses in the bulb to wear out.
If I use battery's how long will they last?
That will depend on the brand of battery you choose and how often you play with the USB Plasma Ball. There's not an exact number of hours we can give you.
The box said something like it will with interact with audio. How do I do this?
It can with additional equipment, however there is no such feature built into the unit.
If i connect 500 usb plasma balls to 100 computers (Duh) wil it drain the computer battery very quickly?
Computers don't run on batteries unless you're referring to a laptop. Actually, I don't think it's even possible to rig that many USB devices together.
Is the usb compatiable with usb 2.0 and 3.0?
Yes, it is compatible with newer USB ports.
Is one of the gases contained in the USB Plasma Ball mercury?
No. Plasma Globes do not contain mercury.
If I drop it, will it break? If it had any gasses, would those gasses from inside it that got released when I broke it kill/harm me?
The gasses are harmless, but you should be careful as the globe is made of glass and can be easily broken if dropped.
Could I plug the usb cable into my apple iphone usb to two prong adapter to a wall outlet? Or would this be dangerous?
We haven't tried using a wall adapter, but if you have a USB adapter it should be okay.
Are the sounds that it made when he touched it real? And who did the genie turn him into and what is his name who summoned the genie?
The USB Plasma Balls make a quiet buzzing sound when your hand is on them which is not terribly different from the sound in the video. The genie turned Jamie into O.J. Simpson.
will it work in an xbox or wii usb port?
We don't see why not! The Plasma Ball draws power from the USB port itself which, as long as the device is turned on, will have a constant supply of power.
I have a boss who believes it is using up a lot of electricity and wants me to turn my USB plasma ball off. How much energy is it using?
That's a strict office you work at! The operating electronic current is 300-400mA.
Ive had plasma balls before but they all broke. Will this one break if I drop it?
We cannot guarantee that it will not break if you drop it. We think it is pretty durable but it certainly is not unbreakable.
How much current does it draw? (If you want to incorporate it into an rgb setup controlled with an arduino)
Approximately 500mA. The USB Plasma Balls were designed back when USB-A was the standard and more powerful ports were still just a dream.
I got five... And nothing happened! I tried for months to summon a genie! It didn't work! Can you help me please?
He was summoned, but it just so happened to be hundreds of miles away from where you were. Sorry about that!
I live is SE Asia (Thailand) what will be the shipping cost for that?
That will depend entirely on the shipping method you choose when you check out online. Please click the "Calculate Shipping" link near the top of the page for shipping quotes.
I have a samsung computer will the usb plasma ball still work?
Absolutely. As long as the USB port is powered the Plasma Ball will work.
What happens if you put 2 plasma balls together?
Not very much, but you'll be twice as awesome for having them!
What if you don't have a USB port?
Unless the computer you're sending this message on was built in the late 80s, the odds are pretty good that you have a USB port. If not, you can always buy a AC/USB adapter at most electronics stores.
Is it only mac compatible or can it be compatible with windows, linux?
The USB Plasma Ball is compatible with anything that has a powered USB port.
Is it possible for the plasma ball to explode on the insides?
No. The USB Plasma Ball will not explode.
In videos of use on the interwebs it seems that it also comes in completely blue, Do you guys carry that one?
We only carry the USB Plasma Ball you see depicted on our product page. The base is black, while the plasma inside is mostly pink when not activated by touch. It will turn mostly blue when you touch the ball.
Will this allow me to predict my possibly terrifying future like a crystal ball?
Possibly but the number of USB Plasma Balls you need will vary from person to person. You'll just have to keep buying them until it works.
How does it work?
We aren't rocket scientists, but we have a simple explanation. The glass ball is a vacuum filled with low-pressure inert gas. There is a metal ball inside and when it is connected to a power supply, the gas generates sparks that look like lightning.
Is the USB Plasma Ball a USB flash drive? That would be Awesome!
No, but that would be pretty cool!
Is there any way to replace the bulb if it wears out?
Plasma balls aren't really "bulbs" in the conventional sense. They cannot be repaired or replaced.
Can you use the star wars 4 gb USB plugs you can buy on this product for it to work?
No, the USB Plasma Ball must be plugged into a USB port on your computer.
Does it get hot and will it cause harm to my pc.
If you leave your hand on the USB Plasma Ball for a few minutes it might get a little warm, but definitely not hot. We have not heard of the USB Plasma Ball ever harming computers.
Will it really make your hair stand up and summon a genie?
No, we were just being silly. It is still amazing without the genie though!
If the glass breaks and I turn it on will the beams go all around the room..? Or just not work?
It would not work because the gas would escape.
Does the plasma ball USB function as a USB? Can i store things that are on my computer on the plasma ball?
No, the USB Plasma Ball is not a storage device.
CAN U CONTROL THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LAMP ON UR COMPUTER
There is no control device or knob that allows you to control the brightness. However, the more USB devices that are sharing a port, the dimmer the USB Plasma Ball will be. But, it's not like you'll be able to dim the ball like you would a lamp.
Is it glass?
Yes, the sphere is glass.
Can the plasma ball be left turned on all the time for a really cool night light?
You can leave it on, however you should keep in mind that the gasses inside the ball will eventually wear out. The longer you let it run, the shorter its lifespan will be.
If the usb is plugged into a laptop, would the laptop lose battery more quickly, and would be more likely to overheat and shut down?
It will obviously drain the laptop's battery a little more quickly, but it will not cause your laptop to overheat. USB ports carry only a very small amount of electricity.
if you break the bulb and you turn it on is gunna be dangerous
Probably, if for no other reason than the exposed electronics.
can you turn it on and have it light up without it being pluged in to a computer?
Not unless you have one of those USB/AC adapters so you could plug it into the wall. The USB Plasma Ball needs to be plugged in to something in order to work.
what happens if the bulb breaks
Then the Plasma Ball will no longer work.
How long does it last?
Plasma Balls will last for a very long time with normal use. If you leave your USB Plasma Ball on non-stop it will eventually begin to wear out after a few months.
is the plasma ball hot after a prolonged period of touching it?
I left the USB Plasma Ball plugged in for over 4 hours and it did not feel hot at all.
If all of the glass broke, and it was then turned on would it still work?
No, as the gasses required for the globe to work will have escaped.
Do you have plans to sell a regular plug-in plasma ball? If not, can you consider it?
Sorry, but we do not currently have plans for regular, plug-in plasma balls.
If there is gas in it will the gas hurt you.
The gas is harmless as long as the bulb isn't broken, and even then it dissipates pretty quickly.
Will there be a new version of the USB plasma ball that will respond to sound?
We do not have any plans to create a sound-activated USB Plasma Ball. Neat idea though!
Why? It's awesome, but what's the point?
Why not? The point of the USB Plasma Ball is simply to be cool-looking and awesome!
I got one of these before I knew about you guys and it makes a ear piercing noise but its a quiet ear piercing noise. Is this normal?
Yes, that is actually fairly standard for nearly all plasma devices.
If i break my orb... Will anything happen?
You'll have a broken USB Plasma Ball!
Will the USB plasma ball shut off in sleep mode if I configure the USB Root Hub Power Management tab to allow the computer to turn off USB devices to save power in the Device Manager?
We haven't tried this, but if you set your computer to shut of USB devices then we would guess it should shut off the USB Plasma Ball since it is a USB device.
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A mood lamp that folds flat into a book.
A stealthy storage case made from an actual U.S. nickel.
An adorable night light with an ingenious power switch.