The Marx generator is a type of high-voltage pulse generator. This one was mainly used to test the effect of a lightning strike on power grid components. This generator can produce voltage spikes of 1600 kilovolts. That is almost 7,000 times higher than the 230 volts from a mains socket. This brief pulse lasts for around 50 microseconds. That is a lot compared to the 230 volts from a mains socket. This brief pulse lasts for around 50 microseconds. The fabrication method made it possible to deliver the generator for various voltages simply by joining together more or less standard parts. This generator has four columns, with two capacitors in each column. The object is around four metres high and stands on a square base plate two metres wide.