Electromagnets are simply coils of wire around a core that form a magnetic field when electricity is passed through them. They are useful in all sorts of devices, including cars and computer hard drives. Still, there is more to electromagnet design than winding some wire around a coil.
Related Searches:
Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
Material Considerations
1
Consider what materials will comprise the core and coil of the electromagnet. These parts usually are made from metal, particularly iron. Certain metals will conduct electricity better than others, which means that your choice of material can make the overall strength of your magnet more or less.
2
Think about the insulation of the electromagnet's wires. No matter what size electromagnet you are trying to build, you need to make sure that the insulation rating on the wires can withstand the amount of amps that will be going through the wire. The wire itself has to be thick enough to withstand the voltage.
3
Check the size of whatever will hold the electromagnet. The size limitations may affect your choice of core and coil materials, size and insulation of wiring and the voltage you will be able to use.
Technical Considerations
1
Figure out how many turns in the coil you need to get the flux density you want for the electromagnet. The magnetic field produced by the magnet typically will be larger the more turns there are in the coil. However, this isn't as simple as it sounds, because very thin wires will break and increase resistance, while larger wires decrease the surface area you have with which to work.
2
Consider your voltage. Too high of a voltage will result in excess energy being given off as heat. The heat can melt the coils and wiring of the electromagnet, rendering it useless. Too low of a voltage will decrease the strength of the electromagnet.
3
Consider your voltage source. Some batteries, such as nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries, are more prone to explosion than other battery types, such as alkaline batteries. You also may want to set your electromagnet up with a way to control the voltage so that you can adjust it as needed. This will decrease the chances of being exposed to toxic battery material, receiving a shock or starting a fire from the voltage being too high.
Tips & Warnings
Be familiar with the properties of the materials in your magnet prior to trying out your design. This way you will be able to maximize the strength of your magnet without having to go through unnecessary constructions of prototypes.
Electromagnets create magnetic fields by electricity that flows through them. Electromagnets are used in products like particle accelerators, tape recorders, and ...
Electromagnets are a variety of magnets in which the magnetic pull is created via electricity, not through innate magnetic properties. While electromagnets...
Electromagnets use electricity to create a magnetic field. Electromagnets are important parts both of electric motors and electricity generators. The strength of...
The relationship between electricity and magnetism enables electric current to create magnetic fields, which can be used to attract magnetic objects. Unlike...
Electromagnets take advantage of the ability of electrical currents to induce a magnetic field. More controllable than ferrous magnets, electromagnets allow for...
Types of Electromagnets. There are two general types of magnets: permanent magnets and electromagnets. Permanent magnets contain a combination of iron, cobalt...
Electromagnets are incredible magnets that can be used for many different purposes. Understanding the science behind electromagnets can expand your knowledge of...
Electricity and magnetism are closely related phenomena. When electricity moves, it creates a magnetic field. When electricity moves in a straight line--as...
