How to Build a Magnetic Electric Generator

Nuclear power plants simply heat water to power magnetic electric generators.

When a moving magnetic field passes through a conductor, it generates electric current. By moving a magnet very quickly through a coil of wire, a generator can produce a continuous current. Homemade generators are a simple way to demonstrate the process that powers lights, computers and countless other electronic devices the world over.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Ruler
• Rod magnet
• Glue
• Magnet wire
• Tape
• Knife
• Small light bulb

1. Get a disposable pen with a straight shaft, such as a BIC pen. Remove the tip, cartridge and end cap. Save the tip and end cap, but discard the ink cartridge.

2. Measure the internal diameter of the pen with a ruler. You want the diameter of the hollow space inside, not the diameter of the outer wall of the pen.

3. Get a rod magnet, such as those available at one of the links below. The magnet should be slightly thinner than the inside diameter of the pen.

4. Put the magnet inside the pen, then put the end cap and tip back in. Shake the pen a couple of times. You should hear the magnet slide back and forth inside. Put a drop of glue on the tip and the cap to hold the pen together.

5. Tape the magnet wire to one end of the pen shaft, with about 4 inches of extra wire past the tape. Coil the wire around the pen all the way to the other side. Wrap the coil in tape and cut the spool of wire loose, leaving another 4 inches free on the other side.

6. Scrape both ends of the magnetic wire with a knife to peel off the enamel coating. It will be copper-colored once you have removed the coating.

7. Twist one end of the wire around each end of a small light bulb, such as the one linked to below. Tape the light to the side of the pen.

8. Shake the generator. The light bulb should flicker on and off rapidly.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Radioshack: Light
• United Nuclear: General Magnet Information