A bug zapper, more formally known as an electrical discharge insect management system, electric insect killer or (insect) electrocutor trap, is a machine that attracts and kills flying insects which are attracted by light. A light source attracts insects to an electrical grid, the place they're electrocuted by touching two wires with a excessive voltage between them. The title comes from the characteristic onomatopoeic "Zap Zone Defender" sound produced when an insect is electrocuted. How Does a Bug Zapper Work? Inside Poundland's electric fly zapper bat. Do bug zappers really work? Bug zappers are usually housed in a protecting cage of plastic or grounded metallic bars to stop folks or bigger animals from touching the excessive voltage grid. A gentle source is fitted inside, usually a fluorescent lamp designed to emit both visible and ultraviolet mild, which is visible to insects and attracts a wide range of them. Newer fashions now use long-life LEDs to produce the sunshine. The sunshine supply is surrounded by a pair of interleaved bare wire grids or helices.

The space between adjacent wires is often about 2 mm (0.079 in). A excessive-voltage energy supply powered by wall energy is used, which could also be a simple transformerless voltage multiplier circuit made with diodes and capacitors which can generate a voltage of two kilovolts or extra. That is high enough to conduct by way of the physique of an insect which bridges the 2 grids, however not high enough to spark throughout the air hole. Enough electric current flows via the small physique of the insect to heat it to a high temperature. The impedance of the ability supply and the arrangement of the grid is such that it can't drive a harmful current by way of the physique of a human. Many bug zappers are fitted with trays that collect the electrocuted insects