High Voltage Multiplier

Step 5 Notes, Warnings, Safety Procedures and Disclaimer

NOTES

This multiplier is part of a 0 to 50KV adjustable High Voltage Power Supply capable of sourcing 20 milliamps of current.

An instructable on building the supply is my next project, so hold on!

SAFETY WARNINGS and PROCEDURES

• * * W A R N I N G * * *

This device produces LETHAL CURRENTS at HIGH VOLTAGE. The output of this device WILL KILL YOU if you do not follow standard common sense safety procedures.

Safety Precautions and Procedures

1. Wear safety goggles or glasses, rubber safety gloves, and stand on a rubber safety mat when powering or using this device.

2. GROUND the output of this device after powering it off. It can retain a lethal voltage for several minutes after powering down.

3. DO NOT TOUCH the device AT ANY TIME during operation.

4. Do not allow others who are not familiar with high voltage devices to touch or use this device without proper supervision.

5. Do Not operate this device alone! Have an emergency person available when performing your experiments who is familiar with proper rescue procedures.

DISCLAIMER

By building and operating this device, you acknowledge that you understand the dangers improper operation can pose and you accept all risks associated with the operation of this device.

You also acknowledge that I am not nor will be responsible for any death or dismemberment by this device whatsoever and that you assume all risk by the use of this device.

Comments

[pankaj83]

Hi,

I have a question - While operating a pulsed load (frequency around 5 kHz) at the output, I can hear strong acoustic noise. I have molded the entire stuff with Silicon molding - so the noise definitely is not from component vibration. There seems to be some other reason. 

Can you please advise me on this. 

By the way, you can either leave your comment here or mail me on [e-mail]

Best Regards.

Pankaj 

[burningsuntech]

pankaj83

If you are familiar with plasma speakers, what you are hearing is what is called the a "singing arc".

Here is a link to wikipedia on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing_arc

Another posibility is that you have an air bubble in your multiplier and the arc is playing from that.

Good luck in discovering the cause.  Many an invention has been created by accident. 

Raving  Apache

[vivdal]

Dear sir, Please explain the Alternating Current source you are using to power it and what is the optimum frequency for this type of Multiplier given the values of the capacitors used. I am currently trying to construct a high frequency inverter for this.. Thank you Vivian

[burningsuntech]

vivdal

It would be easier to point you to a tutorial on the string of half wave voltage doublers known as CocKroft Walton Multipliers. http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_3/chpt_3/8.html will point you in the right direction for the theory.

As for the OBT it is a 60 Cycle AC transformer so the primary frequency is 60 Hz. As for the caps values, the chosen value has more to do with the ripple in the output than it does "the operating frequency". You can design this type of multiplier for any given frequency within the confines of the source voltage frequency but there are upper limits.

RA

[UbuntuNinja]

This multiplier as shown runs off of 60Hz right?

[burningsuntech]

UN

This multiplier has been designed to work with 50 or 60 cycles AC or Pulsating DC.  No special requirements.

RA

[UbuntuNinja]

Thanks, does the multiplier have a fairly stable output or is there a lot of ripples in the output voltage (I think due to capacitive reactance)?

[burningsuntech]

UN
The higher the voltage, the more ripple.  This is typical of a halfwave device like this one.
RA