Will Changing the Operating Frequency of a Tesla Coil Change Its Ability to Transmit Power Wirelessly?

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project was to determine how changing the operating frequency of a tesla coil used as a radio transmitter will affect its ability to transmit energy wirelessly to light up a fluorescent bulb. Methods/Materials I made a tesla coil that I used as a simple radio transmitter. I changed the transmitting frequency of the tesla coil by changing the resonate frequency of the primary LC circuit and changing out the secondary coil, which is a quarter length antenna to the transmitting frequency. To test the ability of the tesla coil to transmit energy at different frequencies I used a grounded 12-inch 8 watt florescent bulb. While the transmitter was operating, I touched the non-grounded end of the florescent bulb to the transmitter's top-load. This would cause the gas inside the florescent bulb to ionize, giving a visual indicator. I then pulled the florescent bulb away from the coil until the gas extinguished and measured this distance, which indicated the end of the transmitter's practical range. This test was conducted five times for each of three tested frequencies. Results With the radio transmitter was operating at 300 KHz, it transfered power into the florescent bulb from the farthest distance. When the transmitter was operating at 1 MHz it had the shortest range. Conclusions/Discussion My conclusion is that lower frequencies allow wireless power transfer over a greater range.

Awards (1)

• First Place

Competition history

• CSEF 2009 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry J0905

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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