How to Test a Stun Gun

Performing a Spark test on your stun gun will help ensure that it is fully functional. It is also a good idea to make this a regular practice so that you can quickly determine its readiness for use.

Most stun guns use electrical impulses to paralyze attackers. While many people think of electricity as harmful, smaller amounts like those produced by stun guns won’t hurt you.

Check the battery

If the stun gun’s battery is fresh, it should still be able to shock and incapacitate an assailant. However, it is important to test the device periodically to see if it needs recharging or if there is something wrong with it. It is recommended that you do this test every month or so to ensure that your taser will be ready when you need it.

When you press the ON-OFF switch (if there is one) of your stun gun, you should see a spark between the contact probes. If you see this spark, then the battery is good and ready to use. However, you should never fire it into the air for more than a second because it can damage the unit and void your warranty.

Stun guns are useful for personal protection because they are easily concealed and can be used to deter or subdue attackers. They can be purchased in a variety of styles, including brass knuckles, flashlights, and traditional hand-held designs.

Check the safety switch

Stun guns are designed to give the user time to escape a dangerous situation. This is why it is important to test them often. This will ensure that they are working properly and that the batteries have enough charge to function. Make sure that you don’t accidentally activate the stun gun while testing it, or you could get shocked.

To test the stun gun, hold it in front of your body and press down on the safety switch. This will allow you to see if the current is passing between the metal contact probes. You should also be able to hear the audible spark. It is recommended that you flip the safety switch back and forth over a 30-second cycle to test the effectiveness of the weapon. Performing this test regularly will help you build muscle memory and be comfortable grabbing it quickly in case of an emergency. You should never discharge the stun gun into the air for more than one second as this can damage the unit and void the warranty.

Check the electrodes

It’s a good idea to test the metal contact probes on your stun gun periodically. A definite indicator that your stun gun is still charged and working properly is when you see an arc between the electrodes. This arc is visible and will look like lightning.

It is important to note that even though some CEW manufacturers may claim a million or more volts can jump across the contacts on a standard stun gun, this is simply not physically possible. There are environmental factors such as air density and humidity that play a part in this.

Instead of focusing on a stun gun’s flashy voltage claims when comparing devices it is more important to focus on the device’s charge weight, or micro-coulombs. This is the true measure of a stun gun’s ability to inflict pain. In order to cause sufficient pain a stun gun must deliver enough current at a high enough voltage for a long enough duration.

Check the trigger

Stun guns are a powerful self-defense weapon that can paralyze and debilitate an attacker, allowing you to get away or (in law enforcement) take control of them. Millions of civilians, soldiers and police officers around the world carry stun guns as a personal protection tool.

However, even though a stun gun can create unbearable pain and disorientate an attacker it is not a foolproof weapon. It is important to test your stun gun periodically to make sure it works as it should.

Most stun guns have a safety switch (if there is one) and a trigger. When you press the trigger, an electric charge fires across the metal contact probes of the stun device. It is recommended that you keep your hands and body clear of the contact probes while testing the stun gun. It is also best to test the stun gun in short 1-2 second intervals. Longer tests can cause damage to the unit.