Bug zapper
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Function
A bug zapper uses a strong electrical current to kill insects that are attracted to it due to a light source in the center of the device.
History
The Bug Zapper, also known as an electronic insect-control system or electronic discharge insect control system, was invented by William F. Folme and Harrison Chapin. Although there have many improvements made to the electronic bug zapper the basic components remain the same. The first bug zapper that was sold for use in homes was created by Bob Lannini
Components
A bug zapper is made up of 4 basic parts.
Housing: The housing of a bug zapper is usually made of plastic or a grounded metal. The housing holds the parts of the bug zapper together. The housing is usually in the shape of a lantern or a large cube.
Light Bulb: The light bulb inside a bug zapper is fluorescent light bulb, usually a ultraviolet Light. Most insects see ultraviolet light better than they see our (the human) visual spectrum.
Wire Grid: The wire grid usually has two layers. The outer wire grid's purpose is to prevent young children or small animals other than insects from being shocked. The second wire grid has a electric current running through it (there is a small gap between each grid).
transformer: A transformer is a device that converts one AC voltage to another. In this case the transformer changes 120 volts into 2,000 volts or more. The transformer provides the necessary amount of power to instantly "fry" an insect.
"In Action"
First, lets meet our friend Bill the moth. Bill is flying close to a patio with a live bug zapper on it. Mesmerized by the UV light, Bill flys over to the device. He gets past the first grid then touchs two points on the second grid with the electrical charge flowing through it. Bill completes a circut and has 2,000+ volts flowing through him, he soon bursts into flames and falls down to a collection chamber where his charred corpse will remain until it is cleaned out by the owner of the bug zapper.
Drawbacks
The count of mosquitoes collected by the trap is often low compared to that of other insects. Mosquitoes are more attracted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in the breath of mammals. The strong UV light in fact attracts many insects indoors or to the patio that would not otherwise be present. These other insects can be important pollinators of plants or otherwise necessary to the environment, and are harmless in any case.
When insects are exploded by the discharge, an aerosol of bug intestines is produced that is inhaled by or settles on the food of people in the room. While most of the harmless insects are unlikely to disease, mosquitoes killed by the zapper can be carrying the blood of humans or other animals.
Alternate Methods
There are several alternatives for the destruction of annoying insects. A product currently on the market releases an artificial pheromone for mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are attracted to the pheromones, and fly towards the source until they are caught in a net, where they die of dehydration. Citronella is another low-cost substitute for a "bug zapper". It is usually available in retail stores in the form of candles or wrist bands. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methylbenzamide) is also another excellent bug repellent and is availble at the same places listed above.
Sources
[ http://www.howstuffworks.com ] [ http://www.amazing1.com ]