I recently bought a Treadlite II foot switch manufactured by Linemaster Switch Corporation. It cost about $26 plus shipping and has a single 6 foot cord with a dual plug on the end. You insert this plug into the wall or extension cord, then plug your wand into the back of it. Using a single line like this reduces the cables in your setup.
I purchased the switch for a couple of reasons. First, using the power knob on the back of the wand to turn the power off, as we do to replace electrodes, can wear the adjustment mechanism out prematurely. This is actually mentioned by the manufacturer as an improper way to turn it off. They recommend that the device be unplugged each time you need to swap electrodes.
In electro-play, we all know how inconvenient this would be. Add the bending over to retrieve the electrical plug and you conclude, their must be a better way. The foot switch allows you to just remove your foot from the switch to turn off the power. Switching electrodes was never easier.
Second, safety could be an issue. Using the knob to turn off the power may not always work. Changing the position of the wand can cause slight changes in power level. Tilt the wand wrong after turning the knob to the point of cut-off and you may get a jolt. Unexpected jolts can cause you to drop the wand or worse, injure someone with a prop or electrode. The foot switch cuts the power so there is no way to get that unintended jolt.
Safety can also be enhanced by the foot switch when it is used as a dead-man’s switch. If you were to trip and fall or remove your foot from the switch for any number of reasons, the power is cut. The safety advantage of not having line voltage running to the wand makes the foot switch a must-have item.
An unexpected bonus to having the foot switch made itself know the first time I used it in a scene. I was able to cut the wand on and off without the “Bottom” knowing if the electrode (or myself in Indirect play) was electrified. I was able to slide the wand around until she let her guard down, then “ZAP!” It is a serious mind game.
If you have a violet wand, or plan to purchase one, I recommend a foot switch without hesitation.
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If you are new to the Violet Wand or a long term user, your first experience might have been at a Demonstration or ‘Demo.’ If you witnessed a scene that used a Violet Wand and you expressed an interest, you probably received a quick, informal demo so you could see what it felt like.
