How to Make a Magnet Using 120 Volts

Making a magnet that runs off 120 volt wall current is easy enough. All you really need to do is to get a power supply to convert it to DC and decrease the voltage and amperage, then run it through some copper wire wrapped around an iron core of some kind. The important thing is to not shock yourself, not blow a fuse and not make the wire so hot that it will burn your hand.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Power supply
• Single strand insulated copper wire
• Wire cutter
• Knife
• Wire stripper
• Tape
• Iron nail
• Railroad spike
• Glue
• Electrical tape

1. Get a power supply. If you have never done this before, start with 10 to 12 volts DC. A lot of hobby supply stores sell power supplies, or you can get one from a used piece of home electronic equipment.

2. Get an iron core. The bigger the core, the better. Although a nail will do, if you want to make a great magnet, try using a railroad spike.

3. Wrap a length of insulated copper wire around the iron core, coiling it around from one side to the other. Leave at least several inches of wire at each end. The more windings of wire, the stronger the magnet, so be sure to wrap it tight.

4. Tape the coil onto the core. Wrap electrical tape from one end to the other to make a secure connection. Alternately, you could use glue.

5. Strip the ends of the wire. use the wire strippers or a knife to remove the coating and expose the conductive copper wire inside.

6. Attach one end of the wire to each side of the power supply. A DC power supply should have a positive and a negative (or ground) terminal. Tape one end of the wire to each terminal.

7. Cover up any exposed connections. Put tape over both electric terminals if they are at all expose. The same goes for any place where the wire is stripped and not covered.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using a variable power supply. Start it off at a low voltage. Gradually increase it until the magnet starts to get too hot. That is the strongest voltage you can use.
• Some power supplies may have a connector you have to remove. Simply cut if off, strip the coating off of the wires and twist each power supply wire up with each wire coming off the magnet. Tape the connections and you're done.
• Never work with wiring when the circuit is live unless it is absolutely necessary (which is not the case in this project).
• If you do work on a live circuit, only use one hand so that the electric current can't run through your heart if you get shocked.
• Make sure that the two power supply terminals do not touch each other.