How to Make Magnetite Cores
A magnetic core uses a piece of ferrous metal wrapped with electrically conducive wire to control magnetic fields in electrical devices. A magnetite core is one that uses a permanent magnet as its core. In a standard magnetic core, the ferrous metal is only magnetic when current is run through it. A magnetite core is permanently magnetic, though running current through it dramatically intensifies the magnetic field. Magnetite cores are used in certain specialty and high-fidelity applications.
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Things You'll Need
- Small bar magnet
- 22-gauge insulated copper wire, long enough to wrap around the magnet from top to bottom
- 12-volt battery
- Wire strippers
Instructions
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1
Remove an inch of insulation from each end of the copper wire so you can attach them to the battery contacts later.
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2
Wrap the insulated wire around the magnet, starting at the bottom and coiling all the way to the top. The more surface area of the magnet you cover, the stronger the magnetic force of the magnetite core when you pass current through it.
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Attach one end of the wire to the positive contact on the battery and the other to the negative contact. When the circuit is complete, your magnet will have a much more powerful magnetic field than it did on its own.
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Tips & Warnings
Change the polarity of the magnet by switching which ends of the wire are connected to the battery. Increase the power of the magnetite core by linking more batteries to it in a circuit.
When you run current through the core it creates heat as well as a stronger magnetic field. If you run too much current by linking too many batteries, the core can become very hot.
References
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