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You are here: Home / Industrial Electronics / Simple High voltage Generator Circuit – Arc Generator

Simple High voltage Generator Circuit – Arc Generator

Last Updated on April 26, 2022 by Swagatam 35 Comments

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A simple high voltage generator circuit is explained here which can be used to step up any DC level to about 20 times or depending upon the transformer secondary rating.

Circuit Operation

As can be visualized in the shown high voltage arc generator circuit diagram, it employs a standard transistor blocking oscillator configuration for generating the required stepped up voltage across the output winding of the transformer.

The circuit may be understood as follows:

The transistor conducts and drives the associated winding of the transformer via its collector/emitter the moment power is applied to the center of the transformer.

Circuit Diagram

high voltage arc generator

The upper half of the transformer winding simply provides a feedback to the base of the transistor via C2 such the T1 stays locked on to the conduction mode until C2 charges fully, breaking the latch and forcing the transistor to begin the conduction cycle afresh.

R1 which is a 1K resistor is positioned to limit the base drive for T1 to safe limits while VR1 which is a 22k preset may be adjusted for obtaining an efficiently pulsating T1 frequency.

C2 may be also fine tuned by trying other values until the highest possible output is attained at the trafo output
The transformer could be any iron-cored step down transformer (500mA) normally used in transformer type AC/DC adapter units.

The output right across the transformer output would be at the rated secondary level, for example if it is a 220V secondary, then the output could be expected to be at this level.

The above level could be further amplified or stepped up through the attached diode, capacitor charge pump network akin to cockroft-walton generator network.

The network raises the 220V level to many hundreds of volts which may be forced to spark across an appropriately positioned end terminals of the charge pump circuit.

The circuit can be also used in mosquito swatter bat application by replacing the iron cored transformer with a ferrite core counterpart.

High Power 10 kv Generator Circuit

If powered with a 30 V power input, the circuit detailed below can provide a high voltage which range from 0 to 3 kV (type 2 an even provide from 0----10 kV. NAND gates N1----N3 are wired like an astable multivibrator (AMV), which powers the darlington transistors T1/T2 with a 20kHz souarewave frequency. Because of the reduced current circulation (decided by R4 via the transistors, they are not able to get saturated, leading to a quick switch-off. The incredibly rapid switching of the transistors generates a pulsating signal of around 300 V across the primary winding of Tr1.

This voltage is subsequently boosted and stepped-up proportionately as per the turn ratio of the secondary windings. The 1st variation (type 1) of the circuit employs half-wave rectification. Version 2 is actually a cascade rectifier salvaged from an old T.V. set.

Variation 2 provides a voltage 3 times greater than version 1 since the cascade rectifier functions like voltage multiplier (3X). IC2 controls the output voltage. The opamp compares the voltage created across the P1 preset with the voltage existing at the voltage dividers R6/R8 or R7/R8 junction. In the event the output goes higher than the preset voltage level, IC2 may cut down the supply voltage towards the output by using T3. The main section of the circuit is the transformer. Eventhough it is pretty vital, its design isn't that critical.

A range of E, EI ferrite cores with a diameter of 30 mm might work extremely well pretty effortlessly. The core must not include any kind of air gap, an AL value of 2000 nH will be just appropriate. The primary winding includes 25 turns of 0.7 mm 1 mm super enamelled copper wire and the secondary is built using 500 turns of 0.2 … 0.3 mm super enameled copper wire.

The primary and secondary windings needs to be effectively insulated from one another! Dependent upon the high voltages, the user must be careful about the following points: Capacitor C6 should have the ability to handle a minimum of 3 kV. R6 in version 1 includes six 10 M resistors connected in series. R7 is a 10 M resistor, built by using 10nos of 1M in series. This is implemented to counteract spikes from the output. Both circuit takes in around 50 mA with no load attached, and 350 mA while ensuring 2 … 3 W to a load. Transistors T2 and T3 may demand heatsinks.

9V to 300V Generator Circuit

The use of voltage multipliers to generate larger output voltages is typically less expensive only when the desired voltages are lower than 6 times the supply voltage. Other circuit configurations are advised when hugely large step-up ratios are necessary (e.g., hundreds of volts supplied through a 12-volt supply).

As shown in the above diagram, the output of a cheap low-voltage oscillator or square wave generator may generally be used as the input of an appropriate step-up voltage transformer (an ordinary step-down transformer connected in reverse). The transformer's secondary winding produces the desired high AC/DC output voltages.

With a simple DC-to-AC converter, this AC power could be quickly converted back to DC. A DC-to-DC converter circuit as depicted above is able to create a 300-volt DC output out of a 9-volt Dc power supply.

The Hartley inductive-capacitive (LC) oscillator is formed by transistor Q1 and its accompanying electronics in this design. The primary winding voltage, which varies from zero and nine volts, is fed to the 250-volt transformer T1.

The inductive component in the LC oscillator is the main inductance, that is adjusted through capacitor C2. At the secondary of T1, the voltage level is boosted up to roughly 350 volts peak.

Diode D1 half-wave rectifies this output, which charges capacitor C3. The capacitor has the potential to deliver a strong yet non-lethal electrical shock with minimum loading on C3. With  a load current of a few milliamperes, the output decreases to around 300 volts when a permanent load is connected.

Using Ignition Coil

The next circuit we'll look at is a solid-state negative ion generator. This circuit, depicted in Fig. 6, is pretty much the easiest to design and use. A low-frequency pulse is generated by a 555 timer IC, which drives the gate of Q1, a power HEXFET. In turn, the IRF511 transmits a high-current pulse into the primary of the automotive ignition coil T1. The secondary winding generates many thousand volts, which are rectified by diode string D1—-D35 and used to charge C3.

One or more sharp needles blasts the ions into air. C3 can be created at home or obtained from market. Set the frequency of IC 1 with potentiometer R3 to the maximum output voltage with the minimum input current. To get the highest output and circuit efficiency, you can tinker about with R3.

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About Swagatam

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!

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  1. Roy McAlister says

    May 11, 2022 at 5:27 am

    I help teachers with handicapped students do science projects, I showed the students a 555 multivibrator and NTE 264 with an automotive coil to produce impressive arcs. They became excited about making this a science project but most students have very limited hand coordination and minimal soldering skills. Do you know of PCB kits that I might buy to help them make show and tell projects that produce impressive arcs?.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      May 11, 2022 at 9:49 am

      I truly appreciate your efforts, however I am sorry, unfortunately I have no idea from where PCB kits can be procured.

      Reply
      • Roy McAlister says

        May 11, 2022 at 6:20 pm

        Regarding the negative ions produced by using an automotive coil, do the negative ions look and sound different than arcs of alternating positive and negative ions?

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          May 12, 2022 at 9:52 am

          Yes they are quite different, I included the last concept in this article since it involved the generation of high voltage.

          Reply
      • Roy McAlister says

        May 29, 2022 at 11:39 pm

        Please let us know the type and value of C3 in your 555 multivibrator and IFR511 spark generator circuit.

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          May 30, 2022 at 9:30 am

          This circuit was referred from an external source where the value of C3 was not given. I think you can build it by twisting two 4 inches super enameled copper wires together tightly making sure the two wire do not short with each other.

          Reply
          • Roy McAlister says

            May 30, 2022 at 6:49 pm

            Thank you for your rapid response to help handicapped students be delighted with electronics.

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              May 30, 2022 at 7:12 pm

              I am always glad to help!

              Reply
  2. Ersa Frans says

    September 27, 2021 at 1:14 am

    Hi Sir Swagatam
    I have seen somewhere in your site diagram of a high voltage circuit you suggested a man to run away squirrels from a his farm but I can not find it.
    If you remember please let me know.
    Best regards
    Ersa

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      September 27, 2021 at 10:09 am

      Hi Ersa, I also tried but could not find the specific post.

      However you can easily do it using the following circuit, if you have the mains AC access:

      https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwA8rKEetWs/XATkT8ERJjI/AAAAAAAAYGM/RuH_Iiv5coIlYEE34_r4UzR9ESDYFyrxQCLcBGAs/s1600/fence.png

      High voltage may not be necessary, ordinary 220V AC with a stepped down current might also work. You can reduce the 0.22uF capacitors to 0.022uF so that it doesn’t kill any squirrels, just drives them away.

      Reply
      • Ersa says

        September 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm

        Dear Sir Swagatam
        Hello. Thank you very much for the suggested simple plan. I will try that. It is ideal for me. Just now I remembered that in that circuit or another one you had as if used two 220/9.0.9 500 mA transformers to step down the current.
        Wish you health and Joy kind man
        Best regards
        Ersa Frans

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          September 27, 2021 at 3:30 pm

          Hi Ersa, Yes two transformers with their secondaries connected back to back can be used for stepping up the voltage and simultaneously reducing the current depending on the transformer specifications.

          Reply
          • Ersa says

            September 27, 2021 at 11:49 pm

            Dear Sir Swagatam
            Thank you very much. Wish you all the best and success.
            Truly yours
            Ersa

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              September 28, 2021 at 9:41 am

              You are most welcome, Ersa..

              Reply
      • Veronika says

        October 6, 2021 at 12:36 am

        Hi Sir Swag hello! you offered great circuit Ersa. I want to wrap two parallel wires around the tree; each string of wires to be connected to one 680 NF 400v to drive away a cat from climbing up a tree. Reason: bunch of poor bird feathers at the root of our tree every day. What do you say Sir? is it sufficient?
        Regards

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          October 6, 2021 at 10:14 am

          Thanks Veronika, that’s sounds fine, you can do that, just make sure the capacitor values are minimal, so that no animal is seriously harmed. A 0.022uF/400V will be perfect according to me.

          Reply
          • Veronika says

            October 6, 2021 at 8:28 pm

            Hi Sir Swag hello. thank you so much for so soon feedback.
            Regards
            Veronika

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              October 6, 2021 at 8:50 pm

              You are welcome Veronika!

              Reply
            • Veronika says

              October 8, 2021 at 12:43 pm

              Hello dear Swag. Thank you for your reply and your love to animals.
              Glad to know a kind man and very expert engineer.
              Regards
              Veronika

              Reply
              • Swagatam says

                October 8, 2021 at 4:58 pm

                Thank you Veronika, I appreciate your thoughts!

                Reply
          • Veronika says

            October 7, 2021 at 11:47 pm

            Hi Sir Swagatam
            I noticed that you had written 0.022 uf. Is that a typing error instead of 0.22 uf
            Thanks a lot

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              October 8, 2021 at 8:21 am

              Hi Veronika, 0.022uF is correct, it is to ensure that the AC is very mild and not lethal to the animals.

              Please note that all these designs are extremely dangerous while testing and operating, therefore recommended only for the experts, or done under expert supervision.

              Reply
      • Veronika says

        October 6, 2021 at 12:47 am

        Hello Sir Swag. won’t it damage the tree?
        Thanks in advance

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          October 6, 2021 at 10:15 am

          Since the current is too small, it won’t have any effect on the tree according to me.

          Reply
  3. Dan says

    June 27, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    Hi Swagatam !

    Can you tell me what is the value of the primary and the secondary of TR1, please ?
    And can you tell me if there is possible to improve the output voltage about 8 kV for example ? Or more and more ?
    Without Greinacher generator or full bridge ?

    Thk you so much for your help !

    Dan

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      June 28, 2020 at 5:00 pm

      Hi Dan, the transformer details are given in the diagram itself. To increase the output, you will have to increase the diode/capacitor network accordingly

      Reply
  4. sedigh hosein says

    May 19, 2020 at 4:04 am

    hi dear sir ,i searched a lot to find an article about high voltage ,but i did not find anything ,so accept my opology for making my questions irrelated to this article.i built a highvoltage circuit to test the double coil ignition ,but sometimes high voltage noise disrupts the circuit,and reset the circuit ,what resine and epoxy do you recommend for insulating my circuit or what should i do to escape and immunity of the noise?and i have designed a borad almost like the main board of the car,but i do not know what the insulation materials that are behind the Car,s ECU.thank you in advance

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      May 19, 2020 at 9:36 am

      hi sedigh, the easiest way is to use an aluminum enclosure for the circuit board and then ground the aluminum body. Epoxy will not help.
      Other remedies are: Add 0.1uF and 100uF capacitors across the supply line of the circuit, or directly across across supply pins of the IC.
      Also use a zener diode across the supply lines of the circuit. Add 0.22uF capacitor across the reset pin and ground of the IC, if the IC has a reset pin.
      Add a 100uH coil in series with the (+) supply line of the IC. If coil is not available you can use a 100 Ohm resistor

      Reply
  5. Darshan says

    February 28, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    sir, can we 9v power supply instead of 12v

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      February 28, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      yes you can use 9V also

      Reply
      • Darshan R S says

        March 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm

        sir which transform is that ..

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          March 1, 2020 at 6:27 pm

          Darshan, You can use a small iron core transformer.

          Reply
  6. Bibin Edmond says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    hi swagatam,
    which transistor is T1 ?

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      June 21, 2014 at 5:37 am

      HI Bibin,

      For T1 you may use any 1 to 2 amp rated transistor such as TIP31, BD139, D1315, D880 etc.

      Reply
  7. Bibin Edmond says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    hi swagatam…
    Which transistor is used as t1.. ?

    Reply

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