Erase a CD in style with high voltage electricity

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By Matt Mets
Posted 2011/04/18 @ 11:12 pm
Category Science

Youtube user Photonicinduction shows how to erase a CD using a high voltage step up transformer. It’s probably not the most efficient way to go about things, but it does look cool! [Thanks, Matt!]

In the Maker Shed

Makey Makey Standard Kit

Calculator Kit from Spikenzie Labs

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10 Responses to Erase a CD in style with high voltage electricity

Anonymous on April 19th, 2011 at 11:10 am said:

I’m fairly sure the reflective layer necessary for read/write operations is being vaporized, leaving a nonfunctional translucent plastic disc.

Very neat either way.

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- Chris Hamlin on April 19th, 2011 at 12:48 pm said:
  
  I think that’s what’s meant by “erase”. the goal here seems to be to render sensitive data totally unrecoverable, same idea as melting your hard drive with thermite, etc.
  
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James H. Vooght on April 19th, 2011 at 12:03 pm said:

3 seconds in a microwave oven does the same thing.

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Anonymous on April 19th, 2011 at 2:02 pm said:

I wouldn’t want to breathe the fumes

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mpechner on April 19th, 2011 at 3:55 pm said:

I’m a microwave man myself.

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Anonymous on April 19th, 2011 at 4:14 pm said:

Who cares if if’s the most efficient way or not–it makes “erasing” a CD FUN!

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Keruru Ishibashi on April 20th, 2011 at 4:49 am said:

This is necessary for the family by one.

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USB 3G on April 20th, 2011 at 8:29 am said:

Oh nice, thanks for your information!

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JAmes on April 20th, 2011 at 3:16 pm said:

Interesting how it’s clear afterwards, although i prefer the pretty patterns that the microwave does.

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voucher on November 6th, 2011 at 10:10 am said:

A stationary motor such as a winch is easily provided with a supply of power, but a motor that moves with its application, such as an electric vehicle, is obliged to either carry along a power source such as a battery, or to collect current from a sliding contact such as a pantograph, placing restrictions on its range or performance.

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