60kV Cockroft-Walton Multiplier
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Here is a picture of my unfinished Cockroft-Walton Multiplier which still puts out a respectable 30kVDC!
Introduction
The Cockroft-Walton multiplier is the classic diode/capacitor voltage multiplier, created by Cockroft and Walton in the
1950's. It is one of the easiest and most inexpensive means for creating very high voltages at low currents.
Theory of Operation
This 60kV multiplier I've built uses a 12kV, 30mA NST (neon sign transformer) as its input power source. Since NSTs are
typically center-tapped grounded transformers, I am only using one leg of the output to power the multiplier. Therefore, actual
input to the multiplier is approximately 6kVAC, 30mA.
Input Voltage = 6kVAC (rms)
8.5kV (peak)
Output Voltage (no load) = Vinput (peak) * 2 * number of stages
Since I have 4 stages:
Output Voltage (no load) = 8.5kV * 2 * 4 = 68kV
However, in practice under load, the output is significantly lower.
Schematics and Electrical Design
The following schematics are the final design for this 60kV Cockroft-Walton multiplier. (Requires Adobe Acrobat 5.0)
PSPICE Simulations
The following files show the results of simulating the 60kV Cockroft-Walton multiplier using PSPICE while charging a
0.0026uF capacitor which roughly approximates the load my 400kV Marx Generator presents.
(Requires Adobe Acrobat 5.0)
Output Voltage (0.0026uF Capacitive Load) Analysis
Output Charging Current (0.0026uF Capacitve Load) Analysis
More to come soon . . .
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Last modified August 16, 2005 08:05:21 PM