Van de Graaff Generator 300–400kV: Pacemaker Safety and ESD Effects on Body

Hello!

Just some basic questions on a Van de Graaf generator and its ESDs.

1) In your opinon, if I have a pacemaker, might it suffer damage or otherwise be affected by a 14"-high, home-hobbyist-model-sized, Van de Graaf generator (as yet unordered) that can emit ESDs @ approx. 300–400 kv?

2) If so affected, how might a pacemaker be affected, and to what extent?

3) Also, would the ESD need to impact directly on top of the implant site, or would an ESD at that voltage simply need to travel through the ungrounded body to affect the implant?

4) What would be the general adverse effects of an ESD at 300–400 kv on my ungrounded body that hits, say, my head?

Many sincere thanks in advance for any and all helpful replies!

Hi there, you have great wisdom in checking out these things in advance ! My first suggestion would be to consult a pacemaker specialist to find out what kind of things the pacemaker is sensitive to, in terms of current going through the human body.
(And if you are playing with certain kinds of high voltage equipment, also radio frequency and electromagnetic interference).

The potential problem would be that an electrical current going through your body could upset the operation of your heart and pacemaker. However, from reading the Wikipedia page, the basic Van de Graaf generator produces only a very tiny current, which might mean that it cannot be a problem to a pacemaker, but again, you must check this with a medical specialist (you may need to explain the fact that it can only generate a tiny current contnuously, or provide a very limited shock).

The current that could go through your body from any high voltage equipment depends on:
1) the magnitude of the voltage supply,
2) the internal resistance of the voltage supply (which limits its output current).
3) the resistance of the human body (which can vary according to skin dampness),
4) the resistance of the current path to ground (or back to the base of the generator).
5) the capacitance within the device, which may slowly store up an electrical charge and then release it suddenly, which could be a particular danger to someone with heart problems.

Just one more time, for safety, please check this issue with a heart specialist !