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.
The first thing to understand with the wand is - the wand only creates sensation when there is a gap between the wand attachment and the body. Plugging any of the attachments into the violet wand nozzle and grasping them firmly will result in no sensation. The second thing to remember is the bigger the surface area of the attachment, the less the sensation is felt since it is spread over a wider area. With these two principles in mind, a good attachment to start with is the large globe. Its big size makes it the softest item in the violet wand kit. Start with the violet wand turned down to very low intensity and bring the globe into direct contact with the skin. No sensation will be felt. Slowly move the globe away from the body. You will notice as the distance increases, the sensation felt increases as well, until the distance becomes too far and the arc is broken. The large globe is a great warm up item since almost anyone can take it. If you are playing with someone who is at all nervous about using electricity in a scene, this is the one to start with. At very low intensity, the large globe feels similar to the static forearm hair raising sensation of a balloon. Very few people would describe it as unpleasant and it is a good way to introduce someone to the wand without causing them a lot of anxiety.
After playing with the globe for a while, try moving on to the mushroom electrode or the probe electrode. Both of these violet wand attachments enable you to vary the sensation by changing how much of the electrode you present to the surface of the skin. Try the rake attachment using first all the tines of the rake then just one. Notice how the sensation gets more intense as fewer rake tines are arcing. Remember the smaller the area of the electrode presented, the greater the sensation. Go through all the electrodes to become familiar with their sensations. It is a good idea to try them all out on yourself before using the violet wand on someon
