If you enjoy tinkering with electronics, you may know what an inductor is. If not, you have come to the right place. An inductor is a passive electronic component that stores energy and resists changes in the electrical current that passes through it. The basic idea of inductors is very simple. You do not have to worry about trying to barter technology if you cannot afford a pre-fabricated inductor. If you are interested in learning how to make your own inductor for at home projects, continue reading below for instructions.
Step 1: Gather Materials
The first step to making your own homemade inductor is to acquire the correct materials. Because an inductor is meant to store electrical energy without change, you will need a wire that can conduct electricity. We suggest an enameled copper wire. It can be any size of your choosing. Additionally, you will need some needle nosed pliers, a pair of wire cutters and sandpaper or a soldering kit. Finally, you will also need a cylindrical object that is the approximate width of the internal diameter of the coil you hope to create. This item can be anything from a pencil to a drill bit. We suggest finding a drill bit. They are easy to use and come in a variety of sizes. Once you have gathered all of these materials, you are ready to begin making your inductor while you enjoy listening to Soundwire in the background.
Step 2: Measure
The next step can be daunting for some people. If you are interested in achieving a certain uH (microhenry) from your inductor, then you will need to calculate how long the coil should be in order to achieve that specific inductance. This can be done with a little bit of math and a lot of patience. There are a few equations available on the internet, so find out which one is appropriate for your purposes. Once you have done that, you will need to cut the wire to the approximate length needed, leaving a bit of extra space for later. After the wire has been cut, it is time to coil the inductor.
Step 3: Coil
To begin coiling your inductor, you should take the drill bit (or other cylindrical object) and pinch it between your thumb and forefinger. With your other hand, intersect the wire and the drill bit so that they form a cross, with a majority of the wire being on one side. Just be sure to put your LG watch somewhere else to keep it safe while you do this. Next, press the two sides of the wire down gently, so that they fold over the sides of the drill bit. Then you can take your needle nosed pliers, or use your own fingers, to begin curling the excess wire around the drill bit. Be sure to leave 3cm of room at each end of the coil. The coils should be tight and close together. Continue this process until you have achieved the desired coil length. Once you are finished, you can use the needle nosed pliers to bend the “legs” (the excess wire at each end of the coil), so that they are parallel to one another. Finally, remove the drill bit and hold your coil carefully, so that you can move on to the final step of making your inductor for a micro computer or whatever other electronics you create.
Coil Winding
Unfortunately, there are no standardized formulas to achieve a constant inductance from a self wound coil, even when you use a boxed watchkit. However, there is a way to deal with the spring back when self winding coils. Using a hot glue gun can help while winding. Then when you are finished, all you have to do is peel off the dried glue. You can also cable ties to further secure things while waiting for the glue to dry. This is an easy way to avoid frustration when making your own inductor.
Step 4: Uninsulate
Once you have coiled the wire, you are ready to complete your task. In order for the inductor to work properly, you will have to uninsulate the two legs of the coil. The wire is covered by copper enamel. However, in order for energy to reach and pass through the coil you will need both legs to be primed for inductance. You can do this in one of two ways: sandpaper or soldering. Sandpaper involves carefully shaving down the copper enamel on each leg until you reveal the unprotected wire underneath. This can be time consuming, much like some Android dialer apps. However, it is a good option for those who do not have or wish to use a soldering iron. The other option would be to melt the copper enamel away with a soldering kit. This is a good option for those more experienced. Regardless of what you choose, each leg should be free of any enamel coating at the end. Once you see the silver wire beneath, you are ready to put your homemade inductor to good use.
Project Materials
If you are looking for some material suggestions, look no further. You can start by using a multimeter by Digitec: the DT-6830 will do. For the core, try 20×55 mm of manifer 196 ferrite. When it comes the coil, try .3mm copper wire for the best results. You can use any normal glue, but remember to have the multimeter connected while you join the core parts. You can, of course, choose to use whatever materials you desire, but if you are looking for a starting point, try out these solutions. They are sure to help prepare your project to access the smart grid easily.
Adjusting Transmitting Frequency
If you have made your induction coil successfully, there is an easy way to increase the transmitting frequency of the transmitter. All you have to do is increase the separation of each turn of the coil. You can do this with a small screwdriver head. Just wiggle it in between the gaps to increase or decrease the space between each one. This is an easy way to change the transmitting frequency with your DIY inductor.
Creating a homemade inductor can be fun and useful, whether you have a masters in education or no degree at all. Whether you are fixing up an old clock or adjusting a tuner, knowing how to make an inductor will surely come in handy. Apply your knowledge to the real world by creating your own inductor and let us know how it goes! Just remember to always take the proper safety precautions when dealing with electronics.
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