How to Transmit Electrical Power Through Space Without Wires

We are fortunate today to live in a partially wireless world. Wireless telephony allows us to make telephone calls anywhere in the world without being tethered to the wall. Wireless computer networks connect us to each other in ways that few could have imagined just a few decades ago. Even the ability to control our television and other gadgets requires no wires. All that is missing is the ability to supply power to our devices without wiring. That is a challenge that many have grappled with over the past century. The closest solution to the problem is to use an “air core resonant transformer”, more commonly referred to as a “Tesla Coil”, after its inventor, Nikola Tesla. Tesla Coils can transmit electrical power to light bulbs and other items through space without the need for wires.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Tesla coil
• Power source
• Light bulb

1. Familiarize yourself with the work of Nikola Tesla, particularly in reference to his experiments with wireless electric power. It was for this purpose that Tesla invented the Tesla coil, which he envisioned as a system to provide worldwide electricity without the need of being wired to a power grid. At the very least, anyone entering this field should read “The Transmission of Electric Energy Without Wires” by Nikola Tesla.
2. Determine how much electrical power you need to generate. The more power you require, the larger the Tesla Coil will need to be. For small projects, such as discussion pieces or science fair projects, a micro-Tesla Coil should be sufficient to generate 75 KV discharges. Lighting a light bulb requires only small amounts of electric power, but if you intend to operate an appliance or electric engine, you will need to build a significant Tesla Coil. Remember that these coils operate on high voltage and high frequency, and can cause injury or death if not assembled correctly.
3. Buy plans for a Tesla Coil that will meet your power needs. You typically have two options when it comes to buying plans for a Tesla Coil. The first is that you can buy the plans alone, leaving you to scour the local junk yards and radio shack to find the components that you need. The other option is to buy a kit, which includes not only the plans, but all of the components that are required to assemble a complete, working Tesla Coil. For first time coilers, it is recommended that you buy a kit. This way you can use it to familiarize yourself with the process of safely working with high voltages before attempting to build your own Tesla Coil from scratch. Scroll down to the “Resources” section for useful links for buying Tesla Coil plans and kits.
4. Assemble your Tesla Coil and connect it to a power source. If you are using a standard spark gap Tesla Coil then you will notice noise as the electricity discharges. This is normal radio frequency interference and is just part of the spark gap safety system. Also, do not concern yourself with the “lightening bolts” that will emanate from your Tesla Coil. As long as your coil operates on less than 250,000 volts, these bolts will pass harmlessly through human tissue, although a mild shocking sensation may be felt from larger bolts.
5. Place light bulbs within the field range of the Tesla Coil that you have constructed. The range varies depending on the voltage output of your Tesla Coil. Electricity will be transmitted through space without wires, to bring power to the light bulb, causing it to fluoresce.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not worry about the static-like sound coming from your Tesla Coil. This sound is perfectly normal. If it is distracting, try to use a Vacuum Tube Tesla Coil rather than working with the standard Spark Gap design.
• Do not use Tesla Coils haphazardly. Tesla Coils require high voltage to operate, and large models can produce voltage capable of killing a human being.

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