The Dangers and Impacts of Tasering a Car

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were to taser a car? While it might seem like an interesting experiment, it's important to understand the potential risks and outcomes. This article explores the effects of tasering both inside and outside of a vehicle, as well as the underlying principles at work.

Understanding Tasers and Their Impact on Cars

Tasers are electric devices designed to incapacitate human beings by discharging an electric charge. When it comes to vehicles, the effects of a taser can be quite different due to several factors, including the car's design and the specific type of taser being used.

For instance, if you were to spray or affix the probes of a standard handheld stun gun to a car, you would likely only cause minor damage. The high voltage of a stun gun is capable of burning through the paint and potentially causing physical damage. However, the low amperage means it can't efficaciously provide a strong enough shock to significantly impact a car's systems.

Challenging the Car's Immunity to Electrical Discharge

Even more powerful tasers, such as those used by law enforcement, have limited effectiveness against vehicles. They can result in the chipping or scratching of the paint job, but are unlikely to cause substantial damage to the car's internal systems.

In some cases, a direct spark into a car's power lines or control buses (such as CAN, LIN, or FlexRay systems) could potentially damage key components. This is similar to the effects seen with arc welders, which are known for their ability to destroy automotive electrical systems if improperly grounded. It is thus a common practice to disconnect the battery and short the terminals during welding operations to prevent such damage.

Experimental Vehicle-Stopping Techniques

There are experimental devices designed to stop cars using high-voltage pulses. One such device is the DirectStrike from Radiance Technologies. This device uses a bare wire protruding from the ground, connected to a capacitor bank charged to several 10 kVs. A passing vehicle would receive a powerful electric discharge into the engine block, affecting the car's electronics and potentially paralyzing it.

The concept of these devices creates a significant potential hazard, as even a temporary loss of control can be life-threatening in the context of a moving vehicle. Therefore, such devices are not typically recommended or considered safe for general use.

The Faraday Cage Effect

Understandably, a car, like many vehicles, functions as a Faraday cage – a conductor that reflects electromagnetic waves. This means that even a lightning strike, which would normally cause immense damage to unprotected electronics, would only result in minor soot marks on the car's exterior. The cage structure protects the internal electronics from external electrical disruptions, making the car immune to low-power tasers when used from the exterior.

Despite this, there is a notable exception where a taser could have significant consequences. If the taser were to come into direct physical contact with the car's electronics, such as a control module, it could potentially cause damage or even temporary malfunction. However, since tasers are not designed to directly impact electronic systems in vehicles, this would require an atypical and likely unsafe scenario.

Overcoming the Shield

It's worth noting that while standard tasers have limited impact on vehicles, there are other experimental devices that could potentially be more effective. One such device is a microwave gun created from a kitchen microwave. This would provide a much more substantial electrical impact, capable of causing significant harm to a car's components. However, caution must be exercised when considering such devices, as they can be dangerous.

Should you ever come into contact with a taser, remember that the car's primary defense is its robust construction and the principles of electrical engineering that make it a Faraday cage. While low-power tasers may merely scratch the paint, higher-voltage alternatives could still pose a significant risk. Always prioritize safety and security when dealing with any electrical devices around motor vehicles.