High Voltage High Current Power Supply

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A while ago I came up with the idea of using a microwave transformer as a high voltage, high current power supply. Even though I had no use for such a supply, I decided to design one anyway. This is a very simple design mainly to show that there are uncommon uses for common parts. Note: I have not built this supply because I have no use for it. Really it is nothing more then a transformer, rectifier and filter. If you build this supply without knowledge in electronics or high voltage, you have basically signed your own death certificate. This supply can be very dangerous if not treated properly. DO NOT BUILD THIS SUPPLY UNLESS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I assume no responsibility for any damages or injuries caused by this supply.

Schematic

Parts

Part	Total Qty.	Description	Substitutions
C1	1	0.68uF 2200V Capacitor
T1	1	2KV Microwave Transformer
S1	1	10 Amp 120VAC Switch
C4	1	2000uf Electrolytic Capacitor
MISC	1	Wire, Line Cord, Output Terminals

Notes

This circuit is dangerous! Do not build it if you do not have any experience with electronics or high voltage.

The circuit can produce about 250-500mA at 2KV, depending on the transformer.

For C1, you can use the capacitor out of an old microwave.

This circuit is mainly provided as a demonstration of using commonly available parts for something uncommon.

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Comments

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Jacob High Voltage High Current Power Supply Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:41:59 PM

can i use this circuit on a jacobs ladder

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Friday, May 08, 2009 7:36:45 AM

i am a student and power electronices is my fevarite subject( I am looking my carrier in this field ) I designed a 1.5kV, 20WDC power supply from 25 V input as a project. Now I want to learn the different techniques for generating high voltage ( 100kV to 200kV) DC power supply and about the high voltage ferrite core and transformer design. hope you can give me the idea about the circuit thanks.

Robinson High Voltage High Current Power Supply Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:00:56 AM

Its good one. But iwas looking for a circuit 0 to 500VDC variable voltage and 0 to 1000MA variable current circuit. Can you help me in this circuit. Thankyou.

TYKO High Voltage High Current Power Supply Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:58:38 PM

I need the same power supply, but the purpose of it is to be able to deliver between 5000 and 8000 Amps. How would you modify the circuit?

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:53:21 AM

k i must say ur website is kinda kwl. im a first time user and im definetaly impressed.

Ahmed High Voltage High Current Power Supply Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:48:20 PM

hi i am tecnician of electronics but i need to in crease my cerent of my electriciy when i have 250voltage then i went to saply what i can do thanks if can give me any idea for htat

amalin High Voltage High Current Power Supply Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:24:23 AM

i need to design and construction high voltage DC power supply just like above figure but i don't have any idea to design the circuit. i need to design the circuit that flow 220V and transform 15kV after undergo the transformer. hope you can give me the idea to design this circuit. thanks.

Cribcat High Voltage High Current Power Supply Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:05:01 AM

Been using them for years, and yes they will bite you hard. They can be rewound for everyday voltages.

Bit Silly High Voltage High Current Power Supply Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:49:00 AM

Ive made a HV power supply with a 440ac 60uf Capacitor on the main primary of the transformer: Cap 440vac 60uf Mains(240vac)----------|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer Mains(240vac)----------|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer !!!WARNING!!!! VERY DANGEROUS!!! WORKING AT HIGH VOLTAGE AND HIGH AMPERAGE!!! BE CAREFUL OF THE TRANSFORMER IT GETS HOT!!! AND ONLY RUN FOR A SHOT AMOUNT OF TIME!!! You get some pretty amazing sparks, and watch out for x-rays, this operates at a extremely high frequency, i haven't check what frequency it is operating at but i guess close to resonace or maybe even resonance because of the amazing arcs

Xray Man High Voltage High Current Power Supply Friday, May 02, 2008 9:23:12 PM

No, Jimmy... a capacitor from a microwave will not explode if you use it in a DC circuit! Where in the world did you ever get that information from? The only warning that I would give about microwave capacitors is that SOME of them have an internal DIODE manufactured into the same housing as the capacitor. That will usually be shown on the schematic diagram, or noted on the capacitor housing. In that case, you should NOT use that type of capacitor for this circuit.

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Jacob	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:41:59 PM
can i use this circuit on a jacobs ladder
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Friday, May 08, 2009 7:36:45 AM
i am a student and power electronices is my fevarite subject( I am looking my carrier in this field ) I designed a 1.5kV, 20WDC power supply from 25 V input as a project. Now I want to learn the different techniques for generating high voltage ( 100kV to 200kV) DC power supply and about the high voltage ferrite core and transformer design. hope you can give me the idea about the circuit thanks.
Robinson	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Saturday, March 28, 2009 12:00:56 AM
Its good one. But iwas looking for a circuit 0 to 500VDC variable voltage and 0 to 1000MA variable current circuit. Can you help me in this circuit. Thankyou.
TYKO	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Tuesday, March 03, 2009 2:58:38 PM
I need the same power supply, but the purpose of it is to be able to deliver between 5000 and 8000 Amps. How would you modify the circuit?
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:53:21 AM
k i must say ur website is kinda kwl. im a first time user and im definetaly impressed.
Ahmed	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Sunday, January 04, 2009 11:48:20 PM
hi i am tecnician of electronics but i need to in crease my cerent of my electriciy when i have 250voltage then i went to saply what i can do thanks if can give me any idea for htat
amalin	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:24:23 AM
i need to design and construction high voltage DC power supply just like above figure but i don't have any idea to design the circuit. i need to design the circuit that flow 220V and transform 15kV after undergo the transformer. hope you can give me the idea to design this circuit. thanks.
Cribcat	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:05:01 AM
Been using them for years, and yes they will bite you hard. They can be rewound for everyday voltages.
Bit Silly	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:49:00 AM
Ive made a HV power supply with a 440ac 60uf Capacitor on the main primary of the transformer: Cap 440vac 60uf Mains(240vac)----------\|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer Mains(240vac)----------\|----------Primary Of Microwave Transformer !!!WARNING!!!! VERY DANGEROUS!!! WORKING AT HIGH VOLTAGE AND HIGH AMPERAGE!!! BE CAREFUL OF THE TRANSFORMER IT GETS HOT!!! AND ONLY RUN FOR A SHOT AMOUNT OF TIME!!! You get some pretty amazing sparks, and watch out for x-rays, this operates at a extremely high frequency, i haven't check what frequency it is operating at but i guess close to resonace or maybe even resonance because of the amazing arcs
Xray Man	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Friday, May 02, 2008 9:23:12 PM
No, Jimmy... a capacitor from a microwave will not explode if you use it in a DC circuit! Where in the world did you ever get that information from? The only warning that I would give about microwave capacitors is that SOME of them have an internal DIODE manufactured into the same housing as the capacitor. That will usually be shown on the schematic diagram, or noted on the capacitor housing. In that case, you should NOT use that type of capacitor for this circuit.