Best way to produce 1 million volts dc

Thread starter reddevil2576
Start date Apr 25, 2009
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Dc Volts

AI Thread Summary

Building a DC power source of 1 million volts is a complex challenge, with two primary methods suggested: the Van de Graaff generator and the Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier. Safety concerns are emphasized, as working with such high voltages can be extremely dangerous, potentially resulting in lethal charges even from small capacitance. The discussion also touches on the feasibility of using a capacitor bank for consistent power supply, but highlights that achieving 1 million volts requires significant energy and careful design. Users express skepticism about the practicality of using such high voltage for applications like a coil gun, suggesting that lower voltages could suffice for similar effects. Overall, the conversation underscores the need for a solid understanding of high-voltage systems and physics principles before attempting such projects.

Dec 9, 2009

Bob S

I once (about 15 years ago) saw a compact coaxial 1-megavolt electron accelerator that was about three stacked nested coaxial layers of Cockroft Walton multipliers, one layer inside the other. Outside the whole assembly, about 1 or 1.5 meter diameter, was a large coil running about 10 kHz (I think) that was inducing voltage in pickup coils in each layer. The 10 kHz induction signal was picked up and multiplied to several hundred kilovolts in each layer. The whole assembly was about 2 meters long.
Bob S

[added] See US patent #5,124,658
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...XT&s1=5124658.PN.&OS=PN/5124658&RS=PN/5124658

Last edited: Dec 9, 2009