5N20.25 Hand Held Tesla Coil
Abstract
A Tesla coil is a resonant circuit which outputs high voltage AC power. It achieves this by periodically passing
current through a primary loop which induces voltage in a separate secondary loop. This secondary loop sits inside
the primary one but is not connected to it. The current in the secondary coil allows charge to build up on an
open terminal at the end of the Tesla coil. When the open terminal is held near a grounded conductor, electricity
will arc through that air between the two objects. The Tesla coil can be used to should how alternating current
and resonant circuits work as well as how air can be ionized in a strong electric field.
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Safety Concerns
Caution should be used at all times when using the Tesla coil to avoid receiving a shock. The end of the Tesla
coil produces arcs of electricity which can travel through the air, so it is advised that a minimum distance of 6
cm from the tip be maintained at all times. Operating the Tesla coil produces ozone by ionizing the air around
it. For this reason the Tesla coil should not be used for long periods of time in an enclosed space.
Equipment
• Hand held Tesla coil
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Procedure
Plug the tesla coil into a wall outlet to power it. It can be turned on and off by turning the knob on the
bottom. Fully tightening it will turn it off and loosening it will turn it on again.
Theory
Current passed through a Tesla coil is used to charge a large capacitor. This capacitor is periodically discharged
to create large but brief surges of current through the primary coil. Many Tesla coils use a spark gap which will
only discharge the capacitor when enough voltage has built up to cross the spark gap, but other solid state
components can also be use. The brief electrical surge through the primary coil creates a large magnetic flux
that induces a separate current in the secondary coil. Surges of electricity pass up and down the secondary coil
building charge at the end terminal of the Tesla coil.
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References
[1] Pty. Serrata. Model 10-206 Tesla Coil. Technical report, 2006. pg 2-3.
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