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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Franklin Newhart High Voltage High Current Power Supply Friday, June 26, 2015 2:14:06 AM

For those of you wondering if this can be used for a Jacobs ladder. No it can't. Not quite enough voltage but the amps are ok. But you can make a Jacobs Ladder using two transformers. Join the two transformers together via the grounded wire. This makes the centre tap that you won't be using. You now have twice the voltage across the two free wires. Rectify that with great big diodes. You can collect them from the same microwaves that you got the transformers from. Use both the AC filter caps before rectification and attach the two wires to the Jacob's Ladder after rectification. And Don't Kill yourself because now you have 4400 volts at about a half an amp and it will kill you. Makes your hair stand up too.

David High Voltage High Current Power Supply Sunday, January 19, 2014 5:27:05 PM

This is utterly dangerous in the in-experienced hands! A microwave transformer is not built like a 'normal transformer'. One end of the high voltage winding IS connected to it's metal core - I will repeat...! One end of the high voltage winding on a microwave transformer is connected to the metal core.... and this is 2000V at some 500mA (0.5A) or so...! For goodness should you need a high voltage supply do us a proper isolated one transformer! FYI: A microwave cooker uses a upside down half wave rectification meaning; the positive side is grounded whilst the negative output goes to the magnetrons heater cathode. DON'T MESS ABOUT WITH THESE FOR THE VERY REASON GIVEN. The regulation for a power supply would be very poor because unlike a normal transformer that uses 'E' and 'I' lamentation's in an alternative arrangement a microwave transformer doesn't, you have the 'E' lamination as one stack and the 'I' lamination's at the end, creating an 'airgap' - thats why they buzz when running.

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Wednesday, April 04, 2012 10:51:23 PM

what would you think if people/kids got killed playing around with this? would your disclaimer make you feel any better?
(Editor's notes: Chlorine for the gene pool.)

Jim High Voltage High Current Power Supply Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30:10 PM

To TYKO You would need to get a transformer about the size of a pickup truck, some non-existent diode bridge and a power substation to supply the input. All connecting wires would need to be solid copper bus bars approximately 2" x 2". I think maybe you meant 5-8 amps and not 5000 to 8000 amps. If so, the microwave transformer is not sufficient but diode bridges do exist in this amperage. Number 6 wire would be sufficient for intermittent duty but no. 4 would be better especially if more than a few inches long.

DigitalAmigo69 High Voltage High Current Power Supply Thursday, August 25, 2011 3:04:27 PM

"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." (Robinson) SEPIC or BOOST topology switching DC-DC converters might be interesting for you... http://roboforum.ru/download/file.php?id=4576&mode=view http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEPIC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-to-DC_converter http://www.nomad.ee/micros/mc34063a/ Trough, you still have to find or design a circuit, that meets your requirements... But I hope you cached some ideas, that might help :) One more thing - some circuits need to add some elements in order to get 0..nn V. With out negative grounds, you might have 1,2..nn V (depending on the IC's used...) Another simple idea - use auto transformer with the same simple circuit - rectifliers+capacitor banks added (some LC filter also wouldn't hurt) (^',^)

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Friday, April 22, 2011 10:28:51 PM

you can get a lot of power using a marx or cockcroft_walton with the marx its best to use inductors or solenoids and avalanche or a gas discharge tube the cw is good as is but i have gotten better peak power by putting a cap form output to input

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Thursday, January 20, 2011 6:31:20 PM

I cannot find the transformer needed in the circuit anywhere I look. Could somebody help me? Please?

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:22:11 PM

How can this circuit be modified so it can give high voltage, but low current, something like 400 �A to 1mA, like that who are used at the electric fences so the animals don't escape?
(Editor's notes: Don't.)

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:17:19 AM

Can a resistor be placed at the plus output to regulate the current down to some microamps or nanoamps?

anonymous High Voltage High Current Power Supply Friday, December 11, 2009 1:32:18 AM

i am designing a 3 phase input 4kV/1A dc output power supply what should the rating of my diodes, capacitors and bleeder resistors be?

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Franklin Newhart	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Friday, June 26, 2015 2:14:06 AM
For those of you wondering if this can be used for a Jacobs ladder. No it can't. Not quite enough voltage but the amps are ok. But you can make a Jacobs Ladder using two transformers. Join the two transformers together via the grounded wire. This makes the centre tap that you won't be using. You now have twice the voltage across the two free wires. Rectify that with great big diodes. You can collect them from the same microwaves that you got the transformers from. Use both the AC filter caps before rectification and attach the two wires to the Jacob's Ladder after rectification. And Don't Kill yourself because now you have 4400 volts at about a half an amp and it will kill you. Makes your hair stand up too.
David	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Sunday, January 19, 2014 5:27:05 PM
This is utterly dangerous in the in-experienced hands! A microwave transformer is not built like a 'normal transformer'. One end of the high voltage winding IS connected to it's metal core - I will repeat...! One end of the high voltage winding on a microwave transformer is connected to the metal core.... and this is 2000V at some 500mA (0.5A) or so...! For goodness should you need a high voltage supply do us a proper isolated one transformer! FYI: A microwave cooker uses a upside down half wave rectification meaning; the positive side is grounded whilst the negative output goes to the magnetrons heater cathode. DON'T MESS ABOUT WITH THESE FOR THE VERY REASON GIVEN. The regulation for a power supply would be very poor because unlike a normal transformer that uses 'E' and 'I' lamentation's in an alternative arrangement a microwave transformer doesn't, you have the 'E' lamination as one stack and the 'I' lamination's at the end, creating an 'airgap' - thats why they buzz when running.
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Wednesday, April 04, 2012 10:51:23 PM
what would you think if people/kids got killed playing around with this? would your disclaimer make you feel any better? (Editor's notes: Chlorine for the gene pool.)
Jim	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30:10 PM
To TYKO You would need to get a transformer about the size of a pickup truck, some non-existent diode bridge and a power substation to supply the input. All connecting wires would need to be solid copper bus bars approximately 2" x 2". I think maybe you meant 5-8 amps and not 5000 to 8000 amps. If so, the microwave transformer is not sufficient but diode bridges do exist in this amperage. Number 6 wire would be sufficient for intermittent duty but no. 4 would be better especially if more than a few inches long.
DigitalAmigo69	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Thursday, August 25, 2011 3:04:27 PM
"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." (Robinson) SEPIC or BOOST topology switching DC-DC converters might be interesting for you... http://roboforum.ru/download/file.php?id=4576&mode=view http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEPIC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC-to-DC_converter http://www.nomad.ee/micros/mc34063a/ Trough, you still have to find or design a circuit, that meets your requirements... But I hope you cached some ideas, that might help :) One more thing - some circuits need to add some elements in order to get 0..nn V. With out negative grounds, you might have 1,2..nn V (depending on the IC's used...) Another simple idea - use auto transformer with the same simple circuit - rectifliers+capacitor banks added (some LC filter also wouldn't hurt) (^',^)
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Friday, April 22, 2011 10:28:51 PM
you can get a lot of power using a marx or cockcroft_walton with the marx its best to use inductors or solenoids and avalanche or a gas discharge tube the cw is good as is but i have gotten better peak power by putting a cap form output to input
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Thursday, January 20, 2011 6:31:20 PM
I cannot find the transformer needed in the circuit anywhere I look. Could somebody help me? Please?
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Wednesday, December 23, 2009 12:22:11 PM
How can this circuit be modified so it can give high voltage, but low current, something like 400 �A to 1mA, like that who are used at the electric fences so the animals don't escape? (Editor's notes: Don't.)
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Wednesday, December 23, 2009 8:17:19 AM
Can a resistor be placed at the plus output to regulate the current down to some microamps or nanoamps?
anonymous	High Voltage High Current Power Supply	Friday, December 11, 2009 1:32:18 AM
i am designing a 3 phase input 4kV/1A dc output power supply what should the rating of my diodes, capacitors and bleeder resistors be?