I’ve scoured the internet for some ofthe morecompleteresources to do with a variety of topics. Today’s topic is Electrical play. In this form ofplaypractitioners use violet wands, tensunitsand othermore scaryelectrical devices in their play to delivershockto the scene.

The difference between Violet Wands and TENS type units

Electrical play devices, for BDSM purposes, can be grouped into two types: high voltage/high frequency and low voltage/low frequency. In the first group the most often encountered item is the violet wand. In the second group falls a broad range of devices generally patterned on a TENS type of device which is used in standard medical treatment. They have very different effects and one should not be considered better or a lesser version of the other.

Violet wand type devices deliver a sensation that can variously be described as burning, tingly, stingy or static electricity like. The sensation is caused directly by the spark from the unit impinging on the skin. In some sense the user feels what could be described loosely as a shock.

TENS type unit’s work entirely differently. Their output is designed to cause some sort of muscle contraction. This is administered through a variety of different methods. The standard medical configuration uses electrodes, which adhere to the skin. Other devices are found more often in BDSM play such as electric butt plugs or vaginal plugs.  When using any of these the sensation is not felt as a shock at all, but rather as a muscle contraction. In the case of a butt plug for instance, it will feel as if the subject is being fucked in the ass.

It must be emphasized that the two groupings, wands and TENS type units, are entirely different devices used to achieve entirely different ends. Some aspects of this are illustrated in the chart below. Some examples of TENS type units and electrodes suitable for BDSM use are also shown below.

VIOLET WAND	TENS TYPE UNITS
Line Voltage, it must be plugged into the wall	Generally Battery Operated
Basically self contained, attachments for the most part fit directly into the wand	Never used directly, generally used in conjunction with skin adhered electrodes or insertable type electrodes
Output is quite visible, the sensation felt by the subject is readily gauged to some degree by the intensity of the arc.	The sensation felt by the subject has to be judged by the operators experience. Self administration of these device by any operator would be highly recommended prior to using them with someone else.
Somewhat narrower range of play possible. Most would describe violet wands as falling into the "pain" category, although this is obviously highly subjective.	Slightly wider range of play than with wands although this will require buying multiple power units or electrodes.
Good for multi user play as wands are not inserted devices.	Power sources can be used for multiple partners, however any insertable electrode should probably be used on a single person and not on multiple subjects as sterilization is difficult if not impossible.
Somewhat delicate in terms of the physical unit. Wands often break when dropped on a hard surface. Electrodes are generally glass.	More durable as electronics tend to be solid state. Insertable electrodes can break, but are more durable than the glass electrodes of the wand.
Set up is relatively simple provided an electrical outlet is near by.	More complicated set up involving cables from the power unit to the electrode. However the battery operated nature of the power source can be very convenient.

Websites and Articles

A Brief Introduction of Electrical Play and Toys The Queer Kink Guide to Electrical Play Electrical Play Violet Wand Essays (1-5) by Norische e-Stimulation and Electrosex Violet Wand Techniques Violet Wand Blog Electrical BDSM Guide Electrical Play Basics: TENS Unit Violet Wands on Peter-Masters.net Books The Toybag Guide to High-Tech Toys FetLife Groups Tens Units, Violet Wands and All Things Electric Electrical Play Violet Wands

Readers: Is electrical play scary to you? What do you want to know about Electrical Play?