Most modern stun guns do more than deliver a large electric shock. Two-stage electrical processes are built into their circuits. Typically you will find two pairs of sensors. There are external pairs and internal pairs. The external sensor is called a sense electrode. They sit far apart. Current cannot jump between them unless an external conductor (like your body) bridges the gap.
If nothing touches these outer sensors, the circuit defaults to the inner pair of sensors. These are sense electrodes. they sit very close. Current easily jumps between them. The air particles in those small gaps are ionized. This produces a visible spark. A crackling sound is heard.
This display serves a psychological purpose. This is a deterrent. Attackers can see and hear electricity. They know you’re armed before anything happens. Some devices ignore this warning entirely. They rely on stealth. You can also find these models disguised as umbrellas or flashlights. The purpose is to catch the intruder by surprise.
There are several reasons why these civilian models are popular. It’s small. It is easy to use. In most areas, civilian carry is legal. These devices are generally not used by the police and military. They require more complex and extensive planning. We will discuss these complex systems later.
Cattle prod and stun gun
A cattle prod is similar to a stun gun. They also apply an electric current to both electrodes. However, the functionality is completely different. Stun weapons are designed to incapacitate people. It affects the muscular system. Cattle prod bars are designed to motivate cows. It moves animals.
Zapping a cow can cause pain. It does not significantly affect the muscles or the nervous system. It is a corrective tool, not a defensive weapon. The difference is in the voltage. Stun guns use high voltage. This allows the charge to distribute the current throughout the body. Cattle prods use a lower voltage. The effect is limited to the point of contact. it hurts. It will not be incapacitated.
“A stun gun uses electricity to incapacitate people, but a livestock prod uses electricity to move animals.”
This distinction is important to those purchasing self-defense equipment. You need to understand how the device actually affects your body. High voltage stun guns interfere with motor control. A low-voltage electric wand will jolt. One person is incapacitated. The other is just annoyed.
