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Types of Voltage Multipliers

Modern technology, from cellphones to vehicles, requires a steady flow of voltage and current for basic electrical needs. However, some electrical devices, such as lasers, need more voltage within their circuitry than a standard wall outlet can provide. Electronic engineers use voltage multipliers within their designs to harness more power from a basic electrical supply. In fact, many voltage multiplier types offer different power ratings.

Voltage Multiplier Identification
- A voltage multiplier is typically a set of capacitors and rectifier diodes on a printed circuit board. Electricity runs through the rectifier diodes. The capacitor, attached directly after the diode, becomes charged from the uninterrupted electrical flow through the diode. As the electricity continues to flow past the capacitor and into another diode and capacitor set, voltage increases for a higher overall voltage output at the end of the multiplier circuit.
Voltage Doubler
- One of the most basic voltage multipliers is the voltage doubler. Two capacitors and two rectifier diodes are aligned within the printed circuit board's circuitry. These two sets of components double the incoming voltage. For example, if the input voltage is 12 volts, the output voltage will equal 24 volts.
Voltage Tripler
- Three capacitors and three rectifier diodes combine to form a voltage tripler. Electricity flows through one diode and capacitor, continuing through the next two diode and capacitor sets for tripling the voltage, such as 12 volts becoming 36 volts. Through small electronic component steps, voltage gradually increases in a safe manner, protecting the circuit from overheating.
Cascade Configuration
- Voltage can be increased more with the addition of more capacitor and rectifier diode sets. Four or more component sets are called cascade multipliers. Engineers confirm the output voltage needed for a device, such as an X-ray machine, and design the needed circuitry for a properly functioning device. Overall, more capacitor and diode sets attached within a circuit will produce more output voltage.
Considerations
- Engineers do not typically use excessively large voltage outputs from multipliers. As the number of capacitors and diodes increases, voltage becomes less stable within the circuit, possibly causing electrical arcing. The majority of voltage multipliers used are the double and triple configurations.

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