How Many Volts for a Stun Gun?

Question

I've seen them online from 350,000 volts to 1.5 million volts. Does the voltage really matter? What is the difference between low and high voltage -- is it the time the attacker is spent disabled, or the pain he will feel?

Any advantages to buying higher voltage? Are there any models that work better than others? Rechargable vs battery powered, which is better?

Not looking for a Taser, just a traditional stun gun.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The mechanics of the effects of the two are different.

both are low amperage devices, that is why people are not electrocuted by them.

A stun gun works on a persons muscle groups. It basically causes a persons muscles to "twitch" at an extremely high rate of speed, therefor causing an enormous lactic acid build up in a short period of time.  This is why people feel as if they just worked out for a day straight when they are hit with a stun gun, it is also the reason a person hopped up on drugs might be able to overcome the effects.  To effectively get the desired results, you MUST maintain contact with the attacker.

Specifically to answer your question, the higher the voltage the quicker the effects of the lactic acid build up.  

The Taser works on our bodies electrical system, it overrides the normal electrical activity that carries your brains signal to the muscle letting it know what it wants it to do, basically shorting it out. This is why when people are hit with it, they can't move and just freeze. They loose control of their muscle movement.  This is why it is anyone can be incapacitated by a Taser.  When the probes from a Taser strike the attacker, the Taser automatically continues to fire, allowing you to set the Taser down and run away.  You  don't have to maintain close contact like with a stun gun.

You might notice on videos, when someone has a stun gun used on them, they recover slowly. They are exhausted and their muscles are tired. When you see them recover from a taser, they are able to recover much faster, due to the fact that they regain control of their electrical system.

Answer 2

According to HowStuffWorks for a Standard Stun Gun

'The batteries supply electricity to a circuit consisting of various electrical components. The circuitry includes multiple transformers, components that boost the voltage in the circuit, typically to between 20,000 and 150,000 volts, and reduce the amperage."

Stun-gun effectiveness varies depending on the particular gun model, the attacker's body size and his determination. It also depends on how long you keep the gun on the attacker."

"Stun guns generate a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge. In simple terms, this means that the charge has a lot of pressure behind it, but not that much intensity."

"If you use the gun for half a second, a painful jolt will startle the attacker. If you zap him for one or two seconds, he should experience muscle spasms and become dazed. And if you zap him for more than three seconds, he will become unbalanced and disoriented and may lose muscle control. Determined attackers with a certain physiology may keep coming despite any shock."

Answer 3

A stun gun will not disable a person.

It creates an intense pain, but a motivated attacker, or someone high on drugs, can fight through the pain. Higher voltages may create more discomfort, but are no more effective.

That is why police don't use stun guns, they use tasers. The taser can immobilize a person. The difference is the distance between the probes. A stun gun has fixed probes, and affects the nerves only. The separation of probes on the taser affects not only nerves, but muscle. This confuses your brain and locks up your muscles so you can not move.

Answer 4

http://www.taser.org/voltage.html Only thing wrong with the article is that it's 30,000V per centimetre not per inch in air.