High Voltage Experiments
Pole pigs or distribution transformers are large transformers used in the supply of electricity to homes and industry.
They can be used to step up mains voltage to distribution potentials (15KV or so) and are rated to large currents (15-50A at the mains side). For Tesla coil use they need to be current limited, this is usually done with a large choke in the supply.
Although very robust they are very heavy.
The output from a distribution transformer is LETHAL
Neon sign transformers are used to power neon signs. There are two main types Electronic and non-electronic.They come in a range of wattages (100W to 1.5Kw) and voltages ( 5Kv to 15Kv)
The electronic ones use a switch mode power supply and current monitoring circuits to control their output. For experimental use the electronic NST’s are too delicate to be to much use. Or though it is possible to use them with care.
The non electronic NST’s are a shunted transformer usually potted in to a steel or plastic case. Because of this potting compound it is not usually possible to remove the current regulating shunt, so their use for higher powers is limited. They do however make excellent supplies for small tesla coils.
Some NSTs have built in electronic earth leakage trips that can limit their experimental use.
The output from an NST is LETHAL
NST’s are also prone to failure from over-voltage, and a filter and safety gap is recommended in tesla coil use.
Microwave oven transformers (MOTS) can be used for powering tesla coils. they have an output voltage of ~2500V and power ratings from 300-1500W. As their voltage is quite low for tesla coil use they are quite often used in pairs to give 5Kv.
MOT’s are current regulated by a small steel shunt which can be removed (usually fairly easily) to allow much higher throughput.
The output of a microwave oven transformer is LETHAL
Oil burner ignition transformers are small mains powered HV transformers that are ideal to power a small tesla coil or CW multiplier stack.
They have outputs between 5KV and 2KV and are typically in the range of 100-300W.
Please note: The output of these transformers is LETHAL
They are found in industrial furnaces and boilers and are used as an automatic ignition source for fuel.
