Jacobs Ladder control switch

[Metalmoto]

I acquired a Jacobs Ladder from my older brother, that I believe he purchased from Edmund Scientific way back in 1980? Someone told him it could be powered by a Tesla Coil, in which I now have also He found out later, his Tesla Coil would not power the Jacobs Ladder. So, they just sat on a shelf for many years...
(Before anyone warns me about the dangers of High Voltage devices like these). I have many years of experience with electricty and electronics. I shall introduce myself in more detail in another post.
Anyway, I plan to display my Jacobs Ladder in my man-cave finished basement to impress my friends and guests. It's a well made unit, built on a fancy wood base, raised above the base, on a large square piece of phenolic. Including banana jacks for wire connections, and a pexiglass tube surrounding the electrodes and a cast alunimum top. Sticker on the bottom says it was made by Wabash Instrumet Company, Model #510. I will try to include a photo.
I have already acquired a neon sign transformer and high voltage lead wires for it.
Tested a few times, it's quite unique display of electrical plasma. But it's not exactly something I can allow to operate for long periods of time.
Anyway, my plan is to put it on a high shelf, for display, on ocassion for visitors and friends.
The NST would be placed on the floor, behind a desk. With only the HV wires leading up the wall.
Powering it up, I had planned to use a hidden foot switch. This way it could plugged into an outlet constantly. My question is should I use a latching, or momentary foot switch?

I'm mostly concerned about the radio interference it might cause to my neighbors.
And also nearby computers, cell phones, and other devices?
I've read that a faraday cage around it, would help with this?

Like my Tesla Coil, I imagine someone using arc welder nearby would cause just as much AM radio interference? Yet, I've never hear of the FCC bothering guys welding in there garage or repairing an old fence outside in public
Operating the Tesla coil around my computer is something I've obviously avoided. As it's older spark gap type design.
Only in my garage, have I used it to display flourescent lights lighted without a physical connection.

Both of these devices were manufactured before personal computers, cell phones etc.
And I also don't want to risk toasting my home computer in the same room either?

Any thoughs about this

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Like my Tesla Coil, I imagine someone using arc welder nearby would cause just as much AM radio interference? Yet, I've never hear of the

Why would you imagine something so silly?, what relation ship is there between a tiny spark from a welder, and a huge one from a tesla coil.

There used to be an entire room at college with basically 'Frankensteins lab' in it - including huge Walton Cockcroft multipliers, and large balls for arcs to jump across, We never saw it running though, apparently they only ever ran it (briefly) on Open Days as it wiped out all TV for the entire town and surrounding area.

 

[Tony Stewart]

I would imagine Tesla had cataracts from staring at large UV and IR radiation for a long time. The plasma balls are much safer. Make a couple Theramins and get a few large plasma balls. The arcs will interfere with cable TV, mobile phone, HDMI, USB, AM , FM momentarily in the house on each arc.

 

[schmitt trigger]

Please do post photos of your device. From your description it may look awesome.

Back to your question: I would use a momentary foot switch for the reasons you described.

Now, how harmful would it be to electronics circuits? I would do a couple of experiments: first is to attempt a phone call, say on the next room, while the ladder is operating.
The other other experiment could be sacrificial but very low cost. Build a 555 astable driving a 4017 and 10 leds. Turn it on while the ladder is off. Turn the ladder on and see if the circuit behaves erratically. One of the ICs could die, but if so, the damage is very inexpensive.
You may experiment with other household electronics, like a digital clock and observe the behavior.