The future of electricity : a study of
wireless energy
Submitted by: Submitted to:
SHAMOEL AHMAD Ms. Nerissa Lopes
Grade: XII Science PGT Physics
Roll No
This to certify that SHAMOEL AHMAD of class XII Science of Muljibhai
Mehta International School has completed his investigatory project for the
session 2022 – 2023 on the topic
SHAMOEL AHMAD
INDEX
1) Certificate
2) Acknowledgement
3) Abstract
4) Objective
5) Hypothesis
6) Material required
7) Construction
8) Procedure
9) Observation
10) Conclusion
11) Biblography
ABSTRACT
For this science experiment, a Tesla coil was built and
proceeded to experiment with different uses including
wireless electricity, spark gaps, energy transmission and
other high voltage experiments
The Tesla Coil is an air-core resonant transformer. It
was made by the great inventor Nikola Tesla in order to
create hifh-voltage, low current, high frequency,
alternating current electricity. Tesla also experimented
with different configurations in order to find out if he
could use it to wirelessly transmit electricty as a
replacement to the alternating current power system he
had just set up to provide power to the ordinary citizens
of the world. Tesla was, in my opinion, the greatest
mind of history, and if you are interested in learning
more about the man who essentially created the modern
world as we know it, read my section on his life and
works
Objective
I decided to try and build a Tesla Coil by myself and try
to see if I could use it to actually transmit electricity
wirelessly as claimed by Tesla. I also wanted to see
what kind of range I could achieve with a small, table-
top Tesla Coil. And finally, I wanted to discover if a
Tesla Coil is a practical way to replace wires in your
home.
Hypothesis
Going into this project, I knew it was already very
dangerous. The simple presence of such high voltage
made it a dangerous feat, one which is not helped by the
fact that the corona discharge ( the lightning ) is also
extremely dangerous and must only be used in areas
with no dangers of fire. Also the Coil could fry nearby
electronics with ease. For a full list of dangers posed by
this device, see the construction section. That is why I
do not think that I will ever use this in a home setting,
but I still believe that the coil will be able to light up a
fluorescent bulb from a distance of at least 12 inches
Materials Required:
This project requires a lot of materials, and you should
spend at least a day or two researching each part before
you begin any construction. Also, you would have to
buy wuite a few of the things online because they are
not available in physical stores.
• A high voltage source. I used a Neon Sign
Transformer rated at 7,500 Volts and 30 mA.This
amount of electricity is extremely LETHAL. Direct
contact without High Voltage Gloves will be deadly.
• A secondary coil. I used a and a half inch diameter
PVC pipe with about 750 turns of 26-Gauge Magnet
Wire.
• A primary coil. I used 1/4 inch copper tubing and
wound it into a spiral shape.
• A spark gap. I used two copper fittings placed in close
proximity inside a T-shape PVC fitting.
• A series of capacitor. I used both home-made ones
with glass bottles, and store-bought ceramic doorknob
capacitors.
• High-Voltage Wire
• A top load. I used a door-knob made of brass with the
base removed.
• High-Voltage safety gloves.
• Someone with experience working with high voltages,
because anything above 100 VOlts can be deadly, even
at such low currents
Construction
To begin the construction of my Tesla coil, I had to
spend a few weeks researching and collecting parts.
For the actual construction, I started by winding my
copper tubing into a spiral pattern. This is my primary
coil.I then made my secondary coil. This was a
painstakingly long process which involved carefully
winding the extremely thin wire around the diameter of
the tube. This part must be executed extremely
precisely. You cannot overlap any of the wires and you
can not leave even the smallest of gaps. This process
can take up to 2 or 3 hours, depending on how many
mistakes you make.
Next comes the construction of the spark gap and the
assembly of the capacitors. Now, you take your two
conductors and put them in close proximity to each
other, and wire them according to the schematic.
Assemble the capacitor(s) in series ( if required ) and
wire it up in the circuit. Connect the NST to the spark
gap and capacitors and attach the output from the
capacitors to the primary coil. Then connect the final
part of the wire on the secondary to the top load. You
DO NOT connect the secondary coil to the primary coil.
For operation, simply turn on the NST. WHat happens
is that the current travels throught the NST into the
capacitors with the spark gap acting as a kind of switch,
allowing energy to pass through the setup into the
capacitors and charge them up. The spark gap and
capacitors may not seem important, but without them
the whole system would not work. Capacitors store
charge for much higher amounts of voltages than the
NST itself can provide, and the spark gap acts as a kind
fo switch. The current goes to the capacitors and when
they discharge, a huge pulse of current hits the primary
coil. THe amount of times this happens per second is
very high. When the current enters the copper primary
coil, it creates an electro-magnetic field which causes a
voltage to appear in the magnet wire on the secondary.
This is where the name air-core resonant transformer
comes from. THe core of this transformer is air rather
than the iron ones found in traditional transformers. The
current gathers at the top in the topload, where it
gathers and is released as a corona discharge. In this
process, another electric field is made which gives off
enough energy to light a fluorescent tube or lightbulb.
Procedure
If you have not guessed by now, the Tesla Coil is an
extremely dangerous machine. It should not be built or
operated unless you have experience with, or are with a
person with, high voltages. TO show you just how
dangerous this project is, here is a list of safety
concerns that we are aware of at the moment:
• Tesla coils use high voltages, and the risk of death or
injury is significant. The following general guidelines
are suggested:
• Never adjust tesla coils when the power is turned on.
• High voltage capacitors may hold a charge long after
power is turned off. Always discharge capacitors before
adjusting a primary circuit.
• Make sure the metal cases of transformers, motors,
control panels and other items associated with tesla
coils are properly grounded.
• Make sure that you are far enough away from the
corona discharge so that it cannot strike you. Do not
come in contact with metal objects which might be
subject to a strike from the secondary.
• The low voltage primary circuit is extremely
dangerous! These voltages are especially lethal to
humans. Make sure these circuits are well insulated so
users cannot come in contact with the A.C. line voltage
• A safety key should be used in the low voltage circuit
to prevent unauthorized use.
• Use adequate fusing of the primary power and/or
circuit breakers to limit the maximum current to your
control panel. Do NOT count on your home circuit
panel to provide adequate protection!
• Never operate a tesla coil in an area where there is
standing water, or where a significant shock hazard
exists.
• Do not operate a tesla coil when pets or small children
are present.
• Spend some time laying out your circuits. Hot glue,
electrical tape and exposed wiring are quick and easy,
but could be lethal
• Tesla Coils are potentially dangerous devices and
precautions must be taken before every operation to
help prevent possible damage to property, injury, or
death. Unqualified persons should never be.
• Tesla Coils can damage or destroy hearing aids and
cardiac pacemakers in the proximity of the unit. This
means that Tesla Coils are capable of killing a person
wearing a pacemaker. It is imperative to verify that
anyone using one of these devices maintains a good
distance from an operating Tesla Coil.
Observations
TO start off with, I wanted to know how large the
sparks would be on my Tesla Coil. TO my surprise, the
Coil only produced sparks about 1 to 1.5 cm long.I then
decided to see if the coil would be able to wirelessly
turn on a fluorescent light bulb. It did, but only to a
distance of about 2 feet. To adjust the distance of the
light bulb, I turned the COil off and then moved the
light bulb
Conclusion
In conclusion, I can say trhat the Tesla Coil is capable
of lighting up a fluorescent light bulbs wirelessly.
However, I can say that it is not a practical solution. It
is extremely dangerous, and you can not toucha nything
involved because of the lethal nature. Also the machine
is extremely loud. You simply can not use it at home.
The high voltages rewquired can easily back fire and
cause deadly disasters including fire or electrocution.
biblography
1. https://www.livescience.com/46745-how-tesla-coil-
works.html
2. https://www.theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-
a-tesla-coil-22723
