• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homemade Circuit Projects

Need circuit help? Post them in the comments! I've answered over 50,000!

Blog | Categories | About | Contact | Calculators-online
You are here: Home / Power Supply Circuits / Making a Strong RF Discharge Circuit

DIY Circuits | Learn Basics | Arduino Coding




Making a Strong RF Discharge Circuit

Last Updated on August 13, 2023 by Swagatam 75 Comments

In this article we study an RF discharge generation concept also called EMP generator capable of producing an intense RF electrical discharge in the air which may have the potentials of paralyzing and permanently damaging all electronic systems in the close vicinity. The idea was requested by Mr. Nidal.

Technical Specifications

I have seen a lot of circuits from you in your blog. I am a great fan of you!!!!

If you could help me with a circuit diagram for breaking 2.5 Volt torch bulb (Filament type) when it is switched ON and kept close to a copper pot 6 inches away (distance is between torch and copper pot) with a 12 Volt DC supply.

The thing is that, a switched on torch bulb should blow off when it is kept closer to a "copper pot" kept 6 inches apart. I hope a strong magnetic field will give the result.

But the problem is how to magnetize a copper pot to that extend?, an alternating supply give to a copper pot may develop magnetic flux around it or will it get short circuited?

Is it enough to break lamp filament? Or do I need to wind a copper coil inside that vessel to get that result?

Please help me in solving this issue.

Many thanks and expecting a reply from you soon.

Best regards,

Nidal.


The Design

The proposed concept of fusing a bulb filament through a wireless magnetic field doesn't appear to be feasible, however it could be implemented using a very strong RF discharge, such as from a very high voltage capacitor.

The idea may be carried as given in the following explanation:

A high current low voltage is first stepped up to many kilovolts, then stored inside equivalently rated high voltage capacitors and finally discharged by creating a short circuit across the high voltage capacitor leads.

The resulting discharge will generate an awesome amount RF electricity in the zone which may have the potential of fusing the filament of a bulb or illuminating a fluorescent tube momentarily.

Caution: The EMP discharge could produce devastating effects on all electronic equipment placed within the range of the discharge.

Caution: This circuit is designed to generate extremely high lethal voltages. Extreme caution and care is advised while handling this project. This project is NOT recommended for the newcomers.

Circuit Diagram

EMP generator circuit

How it Works

Referring to the diagram above, the set up shows a basic capacitive discharge system. The circuit comprising the diodes, C1 and the SCR form a capacitor charge/discharge switching stage which is powered from a boosted AC using a couple of mains transformers.

TR1/ and TR2 transformers are coupled together such that the low voltage TR2 winding connects with the TR1's low voltage winding.

When mains is applied to TR2 primary, an equivalent 220V (low current) is induced across the upper winding of TR1.

This voltage is used for charging the high voltage capacitor C1 in the circuit via a switching SCR stage which is triggered through the 50Hz low voltage input from TR2 via D2.

The switched C1 discharge is applied to the primary of a car ignition coil, which steps up this voltage to a staggering 40,000V or higher.

This voltage is kept hanging across a thin filament position within a suitably dimensioned conical shaped aluminum radiator.

When the shown push button is pressed, the high voltage tries to force its path through the filament creating a massive arc and explosion across the points.

This generates an intense RF disturbance in the region which is further magnified and propagated by the cone to the target which is here a small electrical bulb.

If the discharge is sufficiently strong may produce a momentary illumination of the bulb filament and then fusing due to the generated RF electricity.

Parts List

  • R4,R5 = 100 OHMS, 1 WATT
  • D1, D2, D3, D4 = 1N4007
  • C1 = 100uF/500V,
  • SCR = BT151
  • TR1/TR2 = 220V/0-12V/1AMP TRANSFORMERS.

You'll also like:

  • lcdsmpscircuitLCD Monitor SMPS Circuit
  • buck converter CM DM modesSimple Buck Converter Circuits using Transistors
  • led dimmer circuit diagramLED Driver Power Supply Circuit Using Dimmer Switch
  • Surge Protected Cheap Transformerless Hi-Watt LED Driver Circuit

Filed Under: Power Supply Circuits Tagged With: Discharge, Making, RF, Strong

About Swagatam

I am an electronics engineer and doing practical hands-on work from more than 15 years now. Building real circuits, testing them and also making PCB layouts by myself. I really love doing all these things like inventing something new, designing electronics and also helping other people like hobby guys who want to make their own cool circuits at home.

And that is the main reason why I started this website homemade-circuits.com, to share different types of circuit ideas..

If you are having any kind of doubt or question related to circuits then just write down your question in the comment box below, I am like always checking, so I guarantee I will reply you for sure!

Previous Post: « How to Interface Arduino PWM with any Inverter
Next Post: Battery Charging Fault Indicator Circuit »

Reader Interactions

Comments

raja says:
June 28, 2024 at 3:07 pm

Those people asking for this circuit are using to cheat the society in India. The rate of the pot increases with the range of the torch closing. Starts from lakhs to crores………. Its a illegal business in India

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
July 31, 2023 at 11:56 pm

Could you please give me a step-by-step on which terminal I’m soldering these different pieces to on the transistor I do not understand this diagram and I bought the pieces for this thing and I need it to work. Or can you just send me a picture of one that does work?

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
June 21, 2023 at 8:59 am

Where can I buy the Transformers for this and could you send me just a picture of what it looked like if you put it together just the circuit with? The Transformers and the capacitor.

Reply
Swagatam says:
June 21, 2023 at 9:14 am

You can buy the transformer from any car automobile shop.

It is basically a powerful CDI circuit. You can refer the following example article and the video:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-to-make-capacitive-discharge/

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
August 13, 2023 at 2:24 am

I still don’t understand the wiring diagram which terminal of the transistor do I wire the full Bridge rectifier to?

Reply
Swagatam says:
August 13, 2023 at 9:07 am

I am sorry, but if you are not understanding the circuit then this experiment is not for you. This project involves lethal high voltage and and I won’t recommend this to any newcomer.

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
August 23, 2023 at 4:24 am

I’m not new to electricity I just have a hard time with these bolueprints.

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
June 23, 2023 at 10:48 am

Isn’t there two of the Transformers and are they the same values as one another? I’m new to electronics so I have no idea how to read these diagrams that’s why I asked for a picture. What should I charge the capacitor with?

Reply
Swagatam says:
June 23, 2023 at 11:37 am

Yes they both can be 0-12/220V 1 amp transformers with their 12V side wires connected with each other.

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
July 1, 2023 at 3:17 am

And what kind of tr is it ac to DC or DC to ac DC to DC or ac to ac?

Reply
Swagatam says:
July 1, 2023 at 9:47 am

Transformers always work with an input AC, and produce an equivalent AC output depending on the winding spec.

Reply
Brennen Richardson says:
July 1, 2023 at 2:59 am

U have written it as 0-12v 1 amp and 220v0-12v I amp are these step up or down tra nsformers?

Reply
Swagatam says:
July 1, 2023 at 9:45 am

These are the standard step-down transformers.

Reply
Jason says:
May 18, 2023 at 10:43 am

I need to build a simple mobile RFI jam out of household things what can I use and how ?baby monitor ? Walkie talkie ?remotes??? Please help

Reply
Swagatam says:
May 18, 2023 at 11:44 am

It is not possible to build a mobile phone jammer using household gadgets. Jammers require special parts.

Reply
SANJOY BHATTACHARJEE the says:
June 6, 2022 at 11:01 am

How much is the power of this circuit and can it be modified to have much more power? If yes then please provide the schematic.

Reply
Swagatam says:
June 6, 2022 at 12:47 pm

The power will depend on the ignition coil power and the transformer power. I have not yet checked the actual power of the system so not sure about it.

Reply
Jithu says:
March 11, 2022 at 10:12 am

Have you done this

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 14, 2020 at 7:01 am

Hi sir, please check your mail.i have been attached a video.

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 14, 2020 at 12:37 pm

Hi Manu, I cannot find your email, not even in junk folder

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 14, 2020 at 2:16 pm

This is your mail id right???

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 14, 2020 at 5:02 pm

Got your email now, what you are showing is basically a Tesla Coil, as given in the image

Tesla coil

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 14, 2020 at 6:39 pm

Sir thank you soo much.
Sir I need this same method above the one table.i need to fix the device under the table and need the frequency above the table, around 12 Inch frequency ( 360 degree)
We can operate in ac also. How does it possible?? What changes should I do on this??
Please help me
Regards
Manukrishnan.

Reply
Jithu says:
March 11, 2022 at 12:06 am

Have you done this

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 15, 2020 at 10:44 am

Manu, there are many good constructional videos regarding this concept that you can check on YT. I have so far not built a Tesla coil, so I can’t suggest much on this concept.

Reply
MOHAMED Hab says:
December 9, 2020 at 2:47 am

Mr. Swagatam the circuit looks great congrats !
This device can burn Nanobots Without damaging the targeted individual ?
i’ll apreciate your response !!!

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 9, 2020 at 7:49 am

Thank you Mohamed, You are right, the RF has the power to destroy nanobots easily

Reply
MOHAMED Hab says:
December 10, 2020 at 4:26 am

Thanks a lot Mr. Swagatam !!! I Apreciate your answer Sir !!!

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 8, 2020 at 11:32 am

Yes sir ,I think some fault from my side.how can I share that photos with you?
If it possible, you can troubleshoot it. I think some mistake in pcb design or connection.

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 8, 2020 at 2:24 pm

Manu, you can send it to my email given in the contact page….if it is possible I will try to find out the fault

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 10, 2020 at 11:12 am

Hi sir, please check your mail.i have been attached images.
Regards
Manu

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 10, 2020 at 12:51 pm

Hi Manu, I saw your email,but it is difficult to understand the fault by looking at the image. I will suggest you to check the connections exactly as per the following PCB details:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pcb-CDI.jpg

Also please check the following:

Check the ground connections, and make sure they are correctly connected across the transformers, SCR, ignition coil.
Check the 220V from the output of the transformer which connected to the circuit.
Remove the bigger 100uF capacitor and replace it with a smaller 1uF/400V or 105/400V for the initial testing purpose, remember this capacitor has to be a non-polar.

Reply
Sanjoy Bhattacharjee says:
September 6, 2023 at 8:24 am

Sir, I thought the capacitor used here is electrolytic because of the specifications provided. It would be nice to make clear if the capacitor is electrolytic or not. Thanks in advance.

Reply
Swagatam says:
September 6, 2023 at 9:10 am

Sanjoy,
the capacitor is supposed to be a PPC, not an electrolytic. If you find 100uF too large you can first try using a 10uF.

However somebody tried this circuit but he could not fuse a distant bulb filament using this circuit.

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 9, 2020 at 7:46 am

Sir contact page means? In that main page ??

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 9, 2020 at 8:55 am

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/contact/

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 8, 2020 at 11:10 am

Manu, I have already provided you all the required information and suggestions, with video proof, if still you are having problems then I am sorry I can’t do much!

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 7, 2020 at 9:47 pm

Sir, very disappointing.not getting any results.am trying to find this secret from last 3 year.please help me to solve this case.

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 5, 2020 at 8:28 am

Sir not getting a proper output. Can I mail you the pic of circuit which I made? How can I share you that?

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 5, 2020 at 8:42 pm

Manu, if you make the basic CDI design exactly as given in the above article, the circuit will definitely work, that is why I suggested you to build the small CDI circuit first and then upgrade its power rating, once the working is confirmed.
It can be difficult for me to troubleshot your circuit by looking at your wiring diagram….

You can also refer to the the working video of the CDI circuit, in the link which I gave your earlier to get more info regarding the wiring details.

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 2, 2020 at 7:59 pm

Please try the following set up first, and verify the results, afterwards you can increase the rating of the capacitor and the coil for increased output:

https://www.homemade-circuits.com/how-to-make-capacitive-discharge/

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 2, 2020 at 7:13 pm

Ok, but no output from ignition coil.
Nothing is coming

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 2, 2020 at 4:42 pm

Manu, 160 V will be enough for most CDI coils, and a output over 20kv can be expected

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 2, 2020 at 4:31 pm

Sir. It’s giving only 160-161 v out from transformer. We need 220v right?

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 1, 2020 at 2:05 pm

You are welcome Manu!

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
December 1, 2020 at 1:24 pm

Ok thank you sir,
Anyway I will try this and contact u for further clarification.

Reply
Swagatam says:
December 1, 2020 at 11:45 am

Hi Manu, I won’t be able to provide accurate information about this concept since I have not tested it practically. I can only say that this unit will generate a huge amount of destructive RF whenever a discharge is created at the output. The RF power will depend on the discharge capacitor value and the ignition coil wattage.

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
November 30, 2020 at 11:24 pm

Ok sir,
But one doubt,in this method the bulb will cut off suddenly or slowly?
I mean the bulb will cut off suddenly whenever I switch on the device or bulb will be turning off slowly?
My requirement is, the bulb should get fused slowly like within a 15-25 seconds. And also within s radius of 12 inch atmosphere area.
And also I need to keep the output electrodes behind a playwood or fiber sheet. How to make it practical ??
Please give me suggestion

Thank you
For ur support sir.

Reply
Manu Krishnan says:
November 30, 2020 at 10:58 am

Ok thank you sir,
So I guess need not change capacitor, transformer and other devices.
Now I confused about filament, am trying to take a thin copper from 12 v transformer .is it ok for filament?

Reply
Swagatam says:
November 30, 2020 at 2:44 pm

No problem, do not use any filament, just use a 5 mm air gap between the output electrodes. When the spark jumps across these points, a strong RF will be generated in the atmosphere.

Reply
View Older Comments

Need Help? Please Leave a Comment! We value your input—Kindly keep it relevant to the above topic! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

circuit simulator image



Subscribe to get New Circuits in your Email



Categories

  • Arduino Projects (93)
  • Audio and Amplifier Projects (133)
  • Automation Projects (17)
  • Automobile Electronics (101)
  • Battery Charger Circuits (85)
  • Datasheets and Components (109)
  • Electronics Theory (149)
  • Energy from Magnets (27)
  • Games and Sports Projects (11)
  • Grid and 3-Phase (20)
  • Health related Projects (27)
  • Home Electrical Circuits (13)
  • Indicator Circuits (16)
  • Inverter Circuits (95)
  • Lamps and Lights (159)
  • Meters and Testers (71)
  • Mini Projects (28)
  • Motor Controller (68)
  • Oscillator Circuits (28)
  • Pets and Pests (15)
  • Power Supply Circuits (91)
  • Remote Control Circuits (50)
  • Renewable Energy (12)
  • Security and Alarm (64)
  • Sensors and Detectors (106)
  • SMPS and Converters (34)
  • Solar Controller Circuits (60)
  • Temperature Controllers (43)
  • Timer and Delay Relay (49)
  • Voltage Control and Protection (42)
  • Water Controller (36)
  • Wireless Circuits (30)





Other Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Copyright
  • Videos
  • Sitemap



People also Search

555 Circuits | 741 Circuits | LM324 Circuits | LM338 Circuits | 4017 Circuits | Ultrasonic Projects | SMPS Projects | Christmas Projects | MOSFETs | Radio Circuits | Laser Circuits | PIR Projects |

Social Profiles

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • My Facebook-Page
  • Stack Exchange
  • Linkedin



Recent Comments

  • Swagatam on Automatic Street Light Dimmer Circuit
  • Swagatam on How to Create Air Gap in a Ferrite Core Transformer
  • Ghulam Mohio Din on Automatic Street Light Dimmer Circuit
  • Swagatam on Ultrasonic Fuel Level Indicator Circuit
  • Swagatam on Automatic Street Light Dimmer Circuit

© 2026 · Swagatam Innovations