Any issues with using a 220 VAC power supply on 110 VAC? - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Deeg · 19th October 2009, 05:56 PM

I'm building a Jacob's Ladder for Halloween (decent instructions can be found at How To Make A Jacobs Ladder). I got a 15kv power supply cheap but the input is rated at 220VAC 50HZ, 1.2 AMP. Will it cause any problems if I use it on a regular 110 VAC outlet? Will it lower the output voltage?

Deeg · 20th October 2009, 06:10 PM

Alternatively, can I use a step-up transformer like the PowerBright VC-300? The 15kv power supply puts out 20mA so if I've done my math right the 300 watt PowerBright has enough power.

crutschow · 20th October 2009, 06:25 PM

It will likely work at 110VAC but with reduced output voltage.

The supply is rated at 264W input (1.2A x 220V) so a 300W transformer should work.

Deeg · 21st October 2009, 06:00 PM

Thanks crutschow. The 15k transformer didn't have enough juice when I plugged it directly into the wall socket but worked great with the VC-300. I'm still somewhat of a newbie at this and I'm always pleasantly surprised when my projects work.

devronious2009 · 21st October 2009, 07:48 PM

Yea, the Jacobs ladder concept runs off of the same thing lightning does. There is a required voltage per linear inch of air that is required to drive the current and create the arc. From a quick e-search I find that the voltage requirement for an arc in air is about 33 kV/cm which is about 83,000 volts per inch of air.

So underpowering it would definately cause it to not produce the propper arc across the air gap.

It sounds like a fun project.

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19th October 2009, 05:56 PM	#1
Deeg	Any issues with using a 220 VAC power supply on 110 VAC? I'm building a Jacob's Ladder for Halloween (decent instructions can be found at How To Make A Jacobs Ladder). I got a 15kv power supply cheap but the input is rated at 220VAC 50HZ, 1.2 AMP. Will it cause any problems if I use it on a regular 110 VAC outlet? Will it lower the output voltage?

20th October 2009, 06:10 PM	#2
Deeg	Alternatively, can I use a step-up transformer like the PowerBright VC-300? The 15kv power supply puts out 20mA so if I've done my math right the 300 watt PowerBright has enough power.

20th October 2009, 06:25 PM	#3
crutschow	It will likely work at 110VAC but with reduced output voltage. The supply is rated at 264W input (1.2A x 220V) so a 300W transformer should work. __________________ Carl Curmudgeon Elektroniker

21st October 2009, 06:00 PM	#4
Deeg	Thanks crutschow. The 15k transformer didn't have enough juice when I plugged it directly into the wall socket but worked great with the VC-300. I'm still somewhat of a newbie at this and I'm always pleasantly surprised when my projects work.

21st October 2009, 07:48 PM	#5
devronious2009	Yea, the Jacobs ladder concept runs off of the same thing lightning does. There is a required voltage per linear inch of air that is required to drive the current and create the arc. From a quick e-search I find that the voltage requirement for an arc in air is about 33 kV/cm which is about 83,000 volts per inch of air. So underpowering it would definately cause it to not produce the propper arc across the air gap. It sounds like a fun project.