Electric BDSM Play — Devices, Tips, and Q&A

[Ky****]

Hey everyone,
I’m starting this thread to connect with others who have an interest in electric play within BDSM—whether you’re experienced, curious, or just enjoy discussing the technical side of things.
Electric play is one of my favorite forms of sensation play, and I’m always interested in learning new techniques, safety practices, creative applications, and toy comparisons. I’d love to hear what devices you enjoy, what you’ve learned through experience, or any tips you think are worth sharing.
For context, the electric toys I currently own and use include:
TENS unit
Tazapper
*** pen (small stun-style device)
Cattle prod
Solid-state violet wand
Electromechanical violet wand
Zeus ElectroVibe wand
If anyone has questions about these devices—how they differ, general strengths/weaknesses, or what kinds of sensations they produce—I’m happy to share my experiences. Likewise, if you’ve used gear I haven’t tried, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
As always, I’m a big believer in informed, consensual, and safety-conscious play, so discussion around risk awareness, communication, and best practices is absolutely welcome.
Looking forward to hearing from fellow electric play enthusiasts and learning from the collective knowledge here.

[jo****]

New to this... But tens unit is working well so far

[Le****]

I’ve been to a few play parties that featured violet wands. Those are fun

[Do****]

2 hours ago, Lexx_1985 said:

I’ve been to a few play parties that featured violet wands. Those are fun

What uses do you have for these? I have one and haven’t used it much. How do you use them? Creative and fun ideas?

[Qu****]

8 minutes ago, DommeDelight said:

What uses do you have for these? I have one and haven’t used it much. How do you use them? Creative and fun ideas?

Violet wands are very versatile. Besides the glass electrodes you can get a body contact probe (be sure to get an air gapped one, not all are) and you can turn anything conductive into an electrfied toy. Knives, ball chain, claws, tensil, humans, a can of soup... the list goes on. You can do predicament play, ***, or relaxing. You can also mix in different kinds of play add it to needles, or fire.

[Sweetestsadist]

2 hours ago, Quixote_69 said:

Violet wands are very versatile. Besides the glass electrodes you can get a body contact probe (be sure to get an air gapped one, not all are) and you can turn anything conductive into an electrfied toy. Knives, ball chain, claws, tensil, humans, a can of soup... the list goes on. You can do predicament play, ***, or relaxing. You can also mix in different kinds of play add it to needles, or fire.

The body contact probe is where it's at! That makes it so much more fun. I have found that it's easier to have it under the bottom, as opposed to under my foot. The contact seems better.

[Sweetestsadist]

One of my favorites is electroplay! As for safety, I've been to at least 3 demos, by one who is incredibly well versed. He said to not go above the neck. A quick unintentional movement from the bottom could damage eyeballs. Also, to not to touch the front and the back, at the same time. Glittery body spray can harm skin(makes sense). If the bottom drinks some type of electrolytes, they'll get better zaps. FUN!

[Ki****]

My 1940’s wax core violet wand still hits better than any solid state unit I’ve tried. I still use the original glass attachments plus I’ve bought some new ones over the years.

A cheap electric fly swatter makes an interesting tool for the really bratty subs. Makes them pause a few seconds from that harsh sting - think of sticking your tongue on a fresh 9V battery.

My TENS unit is modern 2 channel with pre-programmed patterns, but I want to buy one with manual settings sometime soon.

The brand new toy, which we haven’t tried out yes, is a Kegel electrostim device, I bought three different probes with it. Can’t wait to see how she reacts to that.

[Ky****]

5 hours ago, Quixote_69 said:

Violet wands are very versatile. Besides the glass electrodes you can get a body contact probe (be sure to get an air gapped one, not all are) and you can turn anything conductive into an electrfied toy. Knives, ball chain, claws, tensil, humans, a can of soup... the list goes on. You can do predicament play, ***, or relaxing. You can also mix in different kinds of play add it to needles, or fire.

No, a spark gap (safety gap) in the body contact cable is not required with modern solid-state violet wands.
Older mechanical (Tesla coil) wands rely on spark gaps for basic safety, and adding one in the body contact cable provides an extra layer of protection against possible low-frequency current in case of a fault. Solid-state units, however, use electronic circuitry that already limits current and prevents dangerous mains-frequency leakage, making that extra gap redundant for safety purposes.
Many solid-state cables are sold without a visible spark gap, though some manufacturers still include one for:
universal compatibility with any wand,
slightly softening the sensation (less stingy in indirect/reverse play),
or just as belt-and-suspenders caution.
So while it can be nice to have, it’s definitely not a must with a properly designed solid-state violet wand.

[Ky****]

1 hour ago, KinkyIn419 said:

My 1940’s wax core violet wand still hits better than any solid state unit I’ve tried. I still use the original glass attachments plus I’ve bought some new ones over the years.

A cheap electric fly swatter makes an interesting tool for the really bratty subs. Makes them pause a few seconds from that harsh sting - think of sticking your tongue on a fresh 9V battery.

My TENS unit is modern 2 channel with pre-programmed patterns, but I want to buy one with manual settings sometime soon.

The brand new toy, which we haven’t tried out yes, is a Kegel electrostim device, I bought three different probes with it. Can’t wait to see how she reacts to that.

Sounds like you've got a killer setup—nothing beats the reliability and character of a vintage electromechanical wand like that 1940s beauty. Those old wax-impregnated capacitor units (or whatever the "wax core" folklore calls them) have a raw, thuddy punch that modern solid-state ones just can't fully replicate.
The main reason traditional electromechanical violet wands hit harder (and feel deeper/more intense) is the waveform they produce. They use electromagnetic coils and a mechanical interrupter, which creates a deeper, slower-discharging spark—often described as "thuddy" because the energy dumps in larger, more penetrating bursts. Frequency can vary wider (up to 500kHz depending on settings), and they generally pull more power (around 30W vs. 5-20W for solid-state), allowing for stronger output overall, especially at the high end or with body contact techniques.
Solid-state units rely on circuit boards for a cleaner, consistent signal, but that results in a shallower, faster waveform—more "stingy" or surface-level buzz, even on stronger models. They're great for beginners (no positioning issues, quieter, no overheating), but they approach but don't quite match the raw wallop of a classic coil-driven wand.
Love the fly swatter hack— that's brilliantly sadistic for brats! The 9V battery tongue zap is the perfect analogy; that sudden harsh sting makes them rethink their life choices real quick.
Good call on hunting for a manual-control TENS; the pre-programmed ones are fun, but having full knob control over pulse width/frequency opens up so much more precision (and evil creativity).
And that new Kegel electrostim kit with multiple probes? Oh man, she's in for a treat—those internal e-stim sensations can be intensely intimate and surprising, especially if you ramp it slowly.
What attachments do you run most on the old wand these days? Any favorites for different moods?

[Ki****]

16 minutes ago, Kyriarcho said:

Sounds like you've got a killer setup—nothing beats the reliability and character of a vintage electromechanical wand like that 1940s beauty. Those old wax-impregnated capacitor units (or whatever the "wax core" folklore calls them) have a raw, thuddy punch that modern solid-state ones just can't fully replicate.
The main reason traditional electromechanical violet wands hit harder (and feel deeper/more intense) is the waveform they produce. They use electromagnetic coils and a mechanical interrupter, which creates a deeper, slower-discharging spark—often described as "thuddy" because the energy dumps in larger, more penetrating bursts. Frequency can vary wider (up to 500kHz depending on settings), and they generally pull more power (around 30W vs. 5-20W for solid-state), allowing for stronger output overall, especially at the high end or with body contact techniques.
Solid-state units rely on circuit boards for a cleaner, consistent signal, but that results in a shallower, faster waveform—more "stingy" or surface-level buzz, even on stronger models. They're great for beginners (no positioning issues, quieter, no overheating), but they approach but don't quite match the raw wallop of a classic coil-driven wand.
Love the fly swatter hack— that's brilliantly sadistic for brats! The 9V battery tongue zap is the perfect analogy; that sudden harsh sting makes them rethink their life choices real quick.
Good call on hunting for a manual-control TENS; the pre-programmed ones are fun, but having full knob control over pulse width/frequency opens up so much more precision (and evil creativity).
And that new Kegel electrostim kit with multiple probes? Oh man, she's in for a treat—those internal e-stim sensations can be intensely intimate and surprising, especially if you ramp it slowly.
What attachments do you run most on the old wand these days? Any favorites for different moods?

Nothing too fancy, and I do short sessions at a time to keep from killing it. From the old probes, the glass “knee/elbow” is my favorite. It’s pretty universal for any part of the body with a randomness to exactly where it strikes until you move it closer to the skin, then you can direct where it hits. Great for breast play. The body contact probe is my favorite addition to it, I love using that with steel banjo picks that I sharpened a bit for good scratching - that’s used when I’m in a particularly sadistic mood. I’ll spent time scratching with the wand off, then make a second tour with the wand on to zap the scratches. Gets a great reaction.

Any suggestions on a manual TENS? I used to have a vintage lunchbox sized unit, it got lost in a cross-country move (one box went missing between the truck, short term storage, and the final delivery truck) nearly 20 years ago. The automatic one was a cheap and quick replacement.

[Ky****]

Quick safety tip for anyone doing body contact / direct touch with a violet wand (especially powerful electromechanical ones like my BD10A):
If you’re the one wearing the body plate (so YOU are the “hot” side), do NOT touch the metal power knob (or any grounded part of the wand) while it’s on and cranked up. You’ll get a nasty kickback zap straight to your finger that feels exactly like a full-on wall shock – it’s intense enough to make you think something’s broken or you’re getting 120V.
It’s not a fault or a short – it’s just the high-voltage RF from your charged body arcing into the grounded knob. Happens on both solid-state and coil units when you’re the live electrode.
Easiest fix: use a foot switch to turn the wand off (or way down) before adjusting, or switch to reverse technique (plate on your partner) so you stay neutral and can tweak the knob freely without any surprise zaps.

[Ky****]

19 minutes ago, KinkyIn419 said:

Nothing too fancy, and I do short sessions at a time to keep from killing it. From the old probes, the glass “knee/elbow” is my favorite. It’s pretty universal for any part of the body with a randomness to exactly where it strikes until you move it closer to the skin, then you can direct where it hits. Great for breast play. The body contact probe is my favorite addition to it, I love using that with steel banjo picks that I sharpened a bit for good scratching - that’s used when I’m in a particularly sadistic mood. I’ll spent time scratching with the wand off, then make a second tour with the wand on to zap the scratches. Gets a great reaction.

Any suggestions on a manual TENS? I used to have a vintage lunchbox sized unit, it got lost in a cross-country move (one box went missing between the truck, short term storage, and the final delivery truck) nearly 20 years ago. The automatic one was a cheap and quick replacement.

That scratching-then-zapping routine with the body contact probe and sharpened banjo picks sounds absolutely devilish—love how it builds anticipation and hits those abraded spots just right. The glass knee/elbow is a classic for good reason; that unpredictable spark until you get close enough to aim is perfect for teasing breasts or anywhere sensitive.
For a manual TENS replacement (something analog-style with knobs for direct control, no auto-programs dominating), the gold standard in the kink community is still the Erostek ET232 (or its big brother the ET312B if you want more power and features). It's analog-driven, dual-channel, super reliable, and gives that smooth, adjustable pulse feel reminiscent of older/vintage units—plenty of people use them for exactly the kind of sadistic tracing and targeted zapping you're describing. They're built for erotic play, so the waveforms feel better for sensation than medical units.
If you're looking for something closer to your old lunchbox-sized beast and don't mind hunting, check used markets for older Erostek models or even vintage medical TENS (though modern medical ones like the TENS 7000 are digital and less "manual").

[Ki****]

32 minutes ago, Kyriarcho said:

That scratching-then-zapping routine with the body contact probe and sharpened banjo picks sounds absolutely devilish—love how it builds anticipation and hits those abraded spots just right. The glass knee/elbow is a classic for good reason; that unpredictable spark until you get close enough to aim is perfect for teasing breasts or anywhere sensitive.
For a manual TENS replacement (something analog-style with knobs for direct control, no auto-programs dominating), the gold standard in the kink community is still the Erostek ET232 (or its big brother the ET312B if you want more power and features). It's analog-driven, dual-channel, super reliable, and gives that smooth, adjustable pulse feel reminiscent of older/vintage units—plenty of people use them for exactly the kind of sadistic tracing and targeted zapping you're describing. They're built for erotic play, so the waveforms feel better for sensation than medical units.
If you're looking for something closer to your old lunchbox-sized beast and don't mind hunting, check used markets for older Erostek models or even vintage medical TENS (though modern medical ones like the TENS 7000 are digital and less "manual").

That Erostek 232 looks like the perfect replacement - simple knobbed pots and switch. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Ky****]

30 minutes ago, KinkyIn419 said:

That Erostek 232 looks like the perfect replacement - simple knobbed pots and switch. Thanks for the recommendation!

You're quite welcome.

[Qu****]

3 hours ago, Kyriarcho said:

No, a spark gap (safety gap) in the body contact cable is not required with modern solid-state violet wands.
Older mechanical (Tesla coil) wands rely on spark gaps for basic safety, and adding one in the body contact cable provides an extra layer of protection against possible low-frequency current in case of a fault. Solid-state units, however, use electronic circuitry that already limits current and prevents dangerous mains-frequency leakage, making that extra gap redundant for safety purposes.
Many solid-state cables are sold without a visible spark gap, though some manufacturers still include one for:
universal compatibility with any wand,
slightly softening the sensation (less stingy in indirect/reverse play),
or just as belt-and-suspenders caution.
So while it can be nice to have, it’s definitely not a must with a properly designed solid-state violet wand.

I have heard of several modern solid state violet wands having house voltage at the collet. Some of the offending companies are still around and have been called out by the likes of Dr Von Hertz, who I've had in depth conversations about this sort of stuff.

[Qu****]

6 hours ago, Sweetestsadist said:

One of my favorites is electroplay! As for safety, I've been to at least 3 demos, by one who is incredibly well versed. He said to not go above the neck. A quick unintentional movement from the bottom could damage eyeballs. Also, to not to touch the front and the back, at the same time. Glittery body spray can harm skin(makes sense). If the bottom drinks some type of electrolytes, they'll get better zaps. FUN!

The hair comb is a fun attachment, but you're right, don't go near the eyeballs. And the damage to the skin from glitter spray is basically it burning into the skin.

[Qu****]

6 hours ago, Sweetestsadist said:

The body contact probe is where it's at! That makes it so much more fun. I have found that it's easier to have it under the bottom, as opposed to under my foot. The contact seems better.

You can also get some vet wrap (coban) and use that to attach the contact. Makes movement a bit easier.

[Ky****]

30 minutes ago, Quixote_69 said:

I have heard of several modern solid state violet wands having house voltage at the collet. Some of the offending companies are still around and have been called out by the likes of Dr Von Hertz, who I've had in depth conversations about this sort of stuff.

That rumor about house mains voltage showing up at the collet on modern solid-state violet wands keeps circulating—I've heard it too, often linked to cheaper or older units. But with a properly designed wand (solid-state or mechanical), it's essentially impossible for full 120V/240V 60Hz mains to reach the collet or output during normal operation, and even in most fault scenarios.
The output comes from a high-voltage transformer (resonant coil in solid-states), where the secondary side—the part connected to the collet—is galvanically isolated from the mains primary. There's no direct conductive path; the energy couples magnetically. The collet only ever sees the high-frequency RF output (typically 30-60kV at hundreds of kHz), not low-frequency mains.
For mains voltage to appear at the collet, you'd need a rare catastrophic dual failure: total insulation breakdown in the transformer plus a simultaneous short bridging primary to secondary. Reputable modern units (Nova, Dr. Clockwork, etc.) use heavy insulation, polarized/grounded plugs, and recessed/deep collets specifically to prevent this. Dr. Von Hertz (whose work I respect a lot) highlights the theoretical risk in faults, especially with solid metals bypassing isolation, but emphasizes it's extremely rare—and the recessed collet design is there precisely to avoid accidental contact with any potential leakage.
The stories usually stem from misused neon sign testers (not erotic wands), improvised solid-metal accessories, or very old/unmaintained units. Quality body contact cables add an extra layer: many (like Dr. Von Hertz's Big Red or others) incorporate a visible or built-in safety gap that blocks low-frequency mains even if the impossible happens, while letting the HF output through unimpeded.
That's why body contact/indirect play doesn't rely on a primary spark gap for safety—the isolation and cable design handle it. Solid-states aren't riskier here; if anything, their consistent output and modern builds make them reliable for exactly the kind of sadistic tracing you're doing.

[Bi****]

Conductive rope for the violet wand is a must have.

[Sweetestsadist]

8 hours ago, Quixote_69 said:

 

You can also get some vet wrap (coban) and use that to attach the contact. Makes movement a bit easier.

Oooh! Thanks for that!