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How to Make a Trigger Coil for a Flash Lamp

A flash lamp is a device used to generate an explosive burst of light. They are used in a diverse range of applications from photography to medical devices. Modern flash lamps typically consist of a Xenon-filled tube. Flash lamps require specially designed circuits to supply the large amount of energy over a relatively short amount of time. These circuits are known as trigger coils and they can be built with a few simple electrical components.

Things You'll Need

Ferrite core, 1.5 inches long
Copper wire
Magnetic wire
Insulation tape
High-voltage power supply
0.1 micro Farad capacitor
47k Ohm resistor
High-voltage switch

Instructions

- 1
  Wrap approximately 12 to 15 turns of copper wire around a 1.5-inch-long ferrite core into a single layer. Ensure that the coils are placed at the center of the core. This first coil is known as the primary winding. Cover the primary winding by one layer of insulation tape.
- 2
  Connect a long piece of magnetic wire to one of the primary coil leads. The primary lead that is connected to the the secondary coil is known as the high primary lead, whereas the remaining primary lead is known as the low primary lead.
- 3
  Wind a layer of the magnetic wire on top of the insulation tape. Place another layer of insulation tape on top of the magnetic wire, and add a further winding of magnetic wire. Repeat this process until there are 15 times more turns in the secondary coil than in the primary coil.
- 4
  Cover the secondary coil with electrical tape, allowing a few inches of wire to stick out. Place a 47k Ohm resistor in between the positive terminal of the power supply and the positive terminal of the capacitor. Connect the negative terminal of the power supply directly to the negative terminal on the capacitor.
- 5
  Connect a high-voltage switch across the positive and negative terminals of the capacitor. Connect the positive terminal of the capacitor to the secondary coil, and connect the free end of the primary coil to the flash tube.

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