Electromagnet Comparison: Does Wire Size Impact Lifting Power?

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that the lifting power of an electromagnet is determined by the current flowing through the wire, not merely by the number of turns or the wire gauge. Specifically, for a given voltage, the current is influenced by the formula VR^2/L, where R is the wire radius and L is the wire length. Therefore, an electromagnet with 10,000 turns of #40 wire will not necessarily have the same lifting power as one with 100 turns of #20 wire, as the wire's resistance and the resulting current play critical roles in performance.

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  • Understanding of electromagnetism principles
  • Knowledge of electrical resistance and Ohm's Law
  • Familiarity with wire gauge specifications (e.g., AWG)
  • Basic grasp of voltage, current, and power relationships
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  • Research the impact of wire gauge on electrical resistance
  • Explore the relationship between voltage, current, and lifting power in electromagnets
  • Study the effects of wire length on electromagnet performance
  • Learn about optimizing electromagnet design for specific applications
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Electrical engineers, hobbyists building electromagnets, and anyone interested in optimizing electromagnet performance for lifting applications.

wmingin
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Good Morning!

Is it true, that supplied with the same voltage and current, an electromagnet with
10,000 turns of #40 wire will have the same lifting power as an electromagnet having
100 turns of #20 wire? (cores are identical).

Thank You All!
 
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No, lifting power depends only on the current, and it is not simply proportional to the current.
For a given voltage, the current is proportional to VR^2/L for a wire of radius R and length L.
 
Thanks Very Much!
 

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