A parallel plate capacitor with one movable plate is charged with a current-limited high-voltage power supply. Voltage across the plates is observed with a high input impedance voltmeter as the movable plate is adjusted. The measured voltage is a linear function of the gap as long as the separation is kept sufficiently small (2-6 mm). Alternatively, one can observe dramatic changes in voltage as dielectric materials are inserted and removed from the gap between the plates.

Using the 5kV current-limited power supply, charge the plates to some voltage (at around 1-2kV). You can measure the potential across the plates using the 4 kV electrostatic voltmeter. As you insert dielectrics between the plates, you can see the voltage change. Moving the plates also causes the voltage to change.

J3, J4, A0

PIRA DCS 5C10.20, 5C20.10