The Faraday's cage is located within the electricity section of the Enérgeia exhibition. During the week, pre-booked guided tours are provided for students (final years of primary school, secondary and baccalaureate levels), who take their seats to view high-tension demonstrations, overseen by one of the Museum's monitors.
The high-tension demonstrations on display at the Faraday's cage provide an insight into how electrical discharges occur. An explanation is first given of the concepts of high tension and the technique used to transport the electrical energy generated at power plants (nuclear, hydroelectric, thermal, etc.) as far as the different points of consumption. In order for the energy to be used in homes, buildings and factories, the voltage needs to be reduced down to 220 volts. Information is likewise given about the locations where the pylons carrying high-voltage powerlines can be seen, and the transformers used at large transformation stations.
The Faraday's cage is a kind of test lab which can achieve 150,000 volts, by using a system of three transformers connected in series. There are four demonstrations and two voltage dischargers: one with a rod and another with spheres. The demonstrations show how a mill turns, explain why fluorescent bulbs light up, how a voltaic arc is formed, and what voltage discharges are.
This activity is also performed periodically at weekends for a family audience. The activity is given an educational structure, with brief and concise questions and ounces, along with examples allowing the students or the general public to understand the different phenomena that take place within the cage.
