What Do I Use to Charge a High Voltage Capacitor?

You can store thousands of volts in a capacitor.

Capacitors are electronic devices that store electric charge. High voltage capacitors are useful for powering camera flash lamps and doing scientific experiments. To charge a high voltage capacitor, you need a direct current (DC) power supply, high-voltage wires and connectors.

Power Supply

You can charge a capacitor with a DC power supply rated to provide the voltage you want, but not more voltage than the capacitor can handle. The more current the power supply can deliver, the faster it charges the capacitor. Usually, a capacitor will charge in a few seconds.

Charge Pump

You can charge a capacitor with ordinary batteries if you use a charge pump. This circuit puts tiny packets of charge into the capacitor, building voltage gradually. A pocket camera uses a charge pump to charge a capacitor for the flash, which needs high voltage.

Wires

Any connecting wires you use must be rated for high voltage. The insulation on most wires is rated for a few hundred volts at best. Wiring with a thick, Teflon coating can handle tens of thousands of volts. Without the right insulation, the high voltage will leak from the capacitor, possibly posing a shock hazard.

References

• Charging High Voltage Capacitors