My High Voltage Generator generating 10,000 Volts !!
THE SETUP
The heart of the high voltage generator is the flyback
transformer taken from an old vacuum tube TV. A variable frequency oscillator (frequency 5-25 KHz) is used
to switch the power transistor (2N3773). The transistor drives a 10
turn hand-wound primary of the flyback transformer (seen in the picture).
A very high voltage is obtained at the secondary of the flyback transformer.
The output voltage can be increased by increasing the air-gap in flyback
core.
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Input Transformer |
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Power Transistor with Heatsink |
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Close-up Flyback Transformer |
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Flyback Transformer |
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COOL ARCS
Due to very high electric field between the output
terminals, breakdown of air occurs generating a plasma (ionized gas).
For air its color is whitish-pink, associated with the discharge of Nitrogen (main
component of air). Applying NaCl (salt) at the output terminals, a bright
yellow-orange colored arc is obtained due to discharge of Na (see last
picture).
The output voltage can be measured approximately by
measuring the arc length in air using spheres of known radius as output
terminals.
JACOB'S LADDER
Jacob's Ladder is simply a high voltage source connected to
a pair of rods arranged in a narrow 'V' configuration on an insulated
support. The arc starts at the bottom (minimum distance ==> maximum Electric
Field) and due to the fact that hot air rises, tends to move up the
diverging rods until they are too far apart for the voltage provided by the
power source.
PLASMA GLOBE
The plasma globe was made by connecting the high voltage
supply to an ordinary bulb. As a bulb has very low pressure inside,
very long arcs can be obtained inside the bulb. Various different
types of effects are observed with different switching frequencies and
changing air-gap of flyback core.
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