How to Make High Voltage Capacitors - Homemade/DIY Capacitors

Рет қаралды 423,934

Күн бұрын

How to make DIY high voltage capacitors. I start by showing a few different high voltage capacitors I've made over the years followed by an explanation of how denser electric field causes breakdown of the capacitor dielectric/insulator. I then show what the voltage rating on commercial capacitors means. I next show how to find breakdown voltage, also known at dielectric strength, online and use it in calculations for how thick your dielectric should be. That's followed by a breakdown voltage test with a homemade high voltage power supply, an analog volt meter and an ammeter. I then show how the shape of capacitor plates influences breakdown voltage, as well as the effect thin plates has on ionizing air. That leads to using corona dope, resin or wax to insulate the capacitor plates. In the final breakdown voltage demonstrations I show the use of current limiting resistors and lastly how standard breakdown voltage tests are done.
Also watch "How to Make Capacitors - Low Voltage Homemade/DIY Capacitors" video,
• How to Make Capacitors...
To make higher capacitance capacitors, for around 62 microfarads see my "How to Make an Electrolytic Capacitor" video here:
• How to Make Electrolyt...
And for even higher capacitance, 580 microfarads, see my "How to Make a High Capacitance Electrolytic Capacitor" video here:
• How to Make a High Cap...
The webpage with details on how I make high voltage connectors,
rimstar.org/equip/hvwiring.htm
Details of how I made my homemade high voltage power supply for up to 30kV are here:
rimstar.org/equip/30kv_pwr_sup...
Here's a link to the Super Corona Dope I use in this video:
www.mgchemicals.com/products/p...
Other high voltage sources...
For a Wimshurst machine see:
• Wimshurst Machine - Ho... (how to make one)
rimstar.org/equip/wimshurst_27... (a commercially bought one)
For a Van de Graaff generator:
• How to Make/Build a Va... (how to make one)
rimstar.org/equip/build_make_v... (more how to make)
For a high power high voltage one, up to 75kV:
rimstar.org/equip/hvg10.htm
3D capacitor animation done using Blender 2.63.
To follow me on Twitter:
#!/RimStarz
rimstar.org

Пікірлер: 453

@TheKingofRandom 11 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@maxwelledison1464 3 жыл бұрын

The King of Random RIP

@mykulpierce 3 жыл бұрын

@@maxwelledison1464 seriously what a find. Rest in Peace grant

@roykoffi7942 3 жыл бұрын

Genius squad 🙂.RIP The King of Random. ❤🙏

@johnnycash4034 3 жыл бұрын

RIP Grant

@Chemanic1 2 жыл бұрын

Rip grant

@521cjb 7 жыл бұрын

Breakdown voltage ratings also include a time factor - a cap that can hold X volts for a few minutes may fail after a few hours, day, weeks or months. The book ratings are for dielectrics that can hold indefinitely. Supposedly. I've replaced many factory made caps that were rated for higher voltage than their actual situation in-circuit. Nothing is foolproof, and everything has a lifespan. Thanks for a great video, very informative.

@hadleymanmusic 5 күн бұрын

This is one reason why home made time machines are dangerous the reliability of the caps are a safety hazard

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying them and super glad to have helped.

@AssExtinction 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking your time and replaying. I really do enjoy your videos about capacitators.

@Taran72 6 жыл бұрын

Finally! a video that shows me how to make a homemade capacitor that actually works and I can make from materials that I can find easily. thank you very much.

@bandoman59 11 жыл бұрын

Great now I'm gonna be spending lots of time watching your vids. Even though I understand electronics. Been in it for years, still amazed by the physics of it all. I think you do a great job on explaining and showing it all also. And lastly you just helped me out with a project I've been working on.

@angeloc700 2 жыл бұрын

Seemingly, the information available to a curious mind in the 21st century is bounded only by the knowledge available by man. Thanks for posting!

@alocin110 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best video on capacitors, capacitor testing, and workable design. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with others. \keep up the good work. Your lab set up is so professional that tells you have a good hand-on experience. Thank you again. I liked your video.

@JSambrook 3 жыл бұрын

I’m working on a magnetic loop antenna for 20m. This video is super-helpful. Very well done. 73 and thank you, John, KJ7RDV.

@Ezio-Auditore94 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, well documented and explained. Just awesome

@999manman 11 жыл бұрын

WOW!!! I had no idea this was even possible on a kitchen table level!!! Great video, Rimstar! I am floored!!!

@Eddygeek18 10 жыл бұрын

Im very new to electric applications the most i have done is built a small kinda hovering motor thing using very basics like a motor an ac 16v adapter and a few cables with propeller blade mounted to the motor. I found this video extremly interesting and it has definatly expanded my knowlage atleast abit. Thank you great video :)

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! That's partly why I like making these videos is to show just what's possible on the kitchen table level. You'd be amazed at what you can do.

@victoryfirst2878 3 жыл бұрын

Congratulations Sir. This is the best video on capacitors making I have seen on KZfaq. Nice work fella.

@roccotinitali1544 6 жыл бұрын

I admire you and your experiments. Thanks for your efforts sir.

@OK2BCK 11 жыл бұрын

videos like this are VERY appreciated, thanks!

@johnrouse6957 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and build skills/ design ideas. I'm currently working on building my own capacitor discharge device for magnetizing. I want to experiment with a diy foundry and try some different alloys etc. the goal is to use raw materials/ easily attainable materials for alternative energy experiments. I can't thank you enough for your videos!

@RimstarOrg 8 жыл бұрын

+John Rouse That sounds like a great project, made up of interesting sub-projects, like the foundry. Have fun with it, and thanks for watching!

@ArtyMars 4 жыл бұрын

This was ten times as informative as i was expecting, thanks hahaha

@ericbelistan6591 11 жыл бұрын

Big thank you from France. Your work is very interisting and well explain. Eric

@1HayesEng 10 жыл бұрын

It’s refreshing to find someone on KZfaq who knows what he is doing..

@Deliriousintentionsprojects 11 жыл бұрын

Wonderful description and testing. Good work! well done.

@Slider2732 11 жыл бұрын

Great video, learned a lot there. Heck of a bang a few hours ago here, from a substation a couple of blocks away. The power dipped off in the house and a second later heard the boom...I bet they were down to 1 sheet after watching your video LOL

@MrVaneurin 6 жыл бұрын

Tanks for the very educational video, well done.

@sadunnakipoglu9471 Ай бұрын

Thank you and appreciate your effort. Greetings to you from Turkey .

@RCengineFAN 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for getting back to me. Will keep that link.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm glad to hear you got something from it.

@directeeccks 11 жыл бұрын

This is a very good video. You sir get a tip of the hat on the detail you went into. This information is really good for eco types. We could upcycle what most consider trash to this. Good work sir!

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Interesting take on it. I gave basics like talking about breakdown voltage and how to figure out how thick to make it for a desired breakdown voltage and how to test it. I gave basics on materials like wax and resin for insulating and avoiding sharp edges and why. And I did show you the steps for one with two copper plates starting at 7:28. But I guess this is more of a "all you need to know to make one of your own design video" than I "step-by-step only for one capacitor video."

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Cool! Looking forward to what Buddy has to say!

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

@morganchandler5126 6 жыл бұрын

RimstarOrg hello I'm not sure if you'll ever see this or reply but I'm working on some things and I would like you input... a high voltage project

@paulojesus8573 4 жыл бұрын

This was sooo good man Thanks alot Good infos Old video but aloot of good infos Working to make graphene capacitors and this video help me to make good ones

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I'm glad you like the video. I'll leave it to you to do the dielectric strength tests... now that you know how! :) Make sure to put up a video of the tests. No kidding I'm busy too. Woke up in bed this morning going back and forth on the details for three different videos!

@vickyheriyantodarmadi6469 2 жыл бұрын

Very good video, very easy to understand

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad to hear it!

@tompeterson9607 7 жыл бұрын

The online rating is probably dependent on exposure time, if you were to do a longer running test at a bit of a lower voltage you'll probably find that the plastic will degrade and breakdown.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! I really appreciate you're watching it! So thanks right back.

@mitchellrose2940 6 жыл бұрын

you're the best...you must do this for a living.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it. Thanks.

@saturn5tony 8 жыл бұрын

To quote the fellow from vulcan..... Fascinating!

@TheFecesGuy 7 жыл бұрын

saturn5tony are you out of your Vulcan mind -McCoy

@dfraldas 3 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah! Corona dope for the corona pandemic time is the best combo!

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I hope you enjoy the videos.

@burkegreg 6 жыл бұрын

My new favourite channel

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Good idea. Thanks. Much, much bigger topic than capacitors though.

@virginiaeichholz4894 10 жыл бұрын

Great stuff thanks a lot for great video

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

The sell them in sort of large rolls here too. I have a roll that's around 80 centimeters tall but I don't know how much area is rolled onto it - a lot.

@hartyguyton3800 11 жыл бұрын

You are phenomena ^_^ . it is illustrated in High Professional way. Keep going!

@jerryuhte1284 2 жыл бұрын

That is so clever om, i built a 20 m cu loop but never could get it to resonate ! I had coax and a split rotor cap , never did figure out why ! You have hit on something ! Lets hear it work ! 73 K9UT Jerry Uhte

@jimawhitaker 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, I just subscribed. I'm here after blowing 3 cheap Chinese 1000 nf caps and deciding either I'm going to spend way too much or build some myself. I found some teflon sheets used in heat transfer I'm going to tray as my insulator. Do you have any experiance with that material?

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! And welcome!

@RimstarOrg 10 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, the shape makes a difference. That's what I was trying to illustrate in the video at 6:00. What you're seeing with your wire is what I'd expect you to see. Try it with flat plates and you won't break it down as easily. I don't have any derating factor. I doubt that you'll find derating factors for breakdown voltage. You can find breakdown voltages for different materials, but they're tested with standard shapes. To know for certain with your plate shapes you just have to test.

@RimstarOrg 10 жыл бұрын

You may be new to electronics but it sounds like you've done some cool stuff. Thanks for watching!

@badassredskin 10 жыл бұрын

Great video. You just got a new subscriber!

@JamesBiggar 11 жыл бұрын

great info! nothing helps me to understand something better than watching someone break it down or build it, thx for sharing! could the thickness of the polyethelyne be causing the discrepency between your test and the breakdown info that you found online? general purpose poly is quite thin, whereas construction poly is many times thicker. the poly you used seemed quite dark like construction poly - maybe it's thicker than the poly that the site gave a rating for?

@rogeronslow1498 5 жыл бұрын

The dielectric strength of a dielectric such as Mylar decreases as the film thickness increases. This means that you can't simply double the dielectric thickness and expect double the breakdown voltage. If you download the datasheet for Mylar you will see that the dielectric strength decreases substantially as film thickness increases. The reason is that the electric field does not distribute evenly across all the layers of dielectric film. A solution to the problem is to use a technique refered to as dielectric stratification. This involves placing floating tinfoil between every layer of film (but not right to the edge). This stabilises the electric field between each layer and allows you to stress the dielectric to it's published value. Also, you have to test the capacitors in oil if you work above the corona inception voltage (about 10kV) or they'll fail from corona and not dielectric breakdown.

@50hh05 5 жыл бұрын

this is a very interesting (and logicaly explained) piece of information but i cannot find any source for "dielectric stratification". Is there another term for it ?

@TheCactusMad 11 жыл бұрын

Love the videos keep up the good work

@kontaktronik 11 жыл бұрын

Thank for uploading!

@SirArghPirate 11 жыл бұрын

Very informative! What do you use the capacitors you make for?

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

You're welcome and merci, Eric. -Steve from Canada

@rumamaryam6617 11 жыл бұрын

Love it! Definitely subscribing.

@edemircmenezes6402 7 жыл бұрын

muito obirgado! gostei muito do seu video!

@dalenassar9152 6 жыл бұрын

After looking at your page on making high voltage capacitors, I thought that you MUST see (if you haven't already) the standard on making a simple splice (to connect two wires together) to NASA specs.It would go very nicely with your connection and it is ULTRA-SIMPLE...just about five or six simple requirements. Also, now I see that it looks like it is designed to prevent corona leakage...a way I never looked at it before seeing your link. I don't have a link (there are many) at the moment, but you can just google the likes of "wire splice to NASA standards" or "linesman's splice to NASA standards"...etc. This is something everyone from the beginning hobbyist to professional electrical engineers must see!

@RimstarOrg 6 жыл бұрын

The technique I use, the one I show a bit of in this video at 8:55, has worked well for me up to 75kV and high current without measurable leakage. I talk about it more on this page rimstar.org/equip/hvwiring.htm. But mine is more for temporary connections, sort of a way of plugging and unplugging high voltage components. The NASA one looks great for permanent connections. Thanks.

@Cityj0hn 10 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@MongrelShark 11 жыл бұрын

Good video! Very informative. Thanks for uploading. Could I request you test the dielectric strength of some common household materials. Like Cling wrap (good quality and super cheap), Disposable cups (plastic and polystyrene), Plastic freezer bags, Rubbish bin liners etc etc? I'll be doing some more testing with Cup-caps and some other ideas sometime, First I need high voltage. Few other things on the go. I know your busy too. Look into lanolin oil if you get a chance. Keep up the good work.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

I got it from a carpet store. They used it as a vapor barrier under carpets. Though it might also be used in walls during construction for the same reason.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

To get those ratings I just did a google search for the dielectric strength of polyethylene. If you do that you'll find a bunch of tables on different websites. All they say is "polyethylene", nothing about any grade. So I don''t know what grade the numbers were for. Also, for mine all I know is it's used for putting on floors under carpets to act as a vapor barrier. And thanks, I'm glad you find my videos and website helpful. Sorry about speaking fast.

@RimstarOrg 9 жыл бұрын

+Nathaniel Charles Put a resistor in the circuit in the discharge path. PS There's no Reply button under your comment because of your Google+ settings. - go to your Google+ page, - in the top, right corner click on your thumbnail icon, - in the popup that appears, click on "Settings". - for the 2nd question down "Who can comment on your public posts?" set it to "Anyone".

@gametrue2229 5 жыл бұрын

RimstarOrg ?

@spectrospirit 9 жыл бұрын

Hi, would You be able to check out how graphene performs and if it can be a possible replacement for traditional car batteries?

@TheSecrecyOfFrequency Жыл бұрын

Kapton / Polymide for a 10-20 x Higher Voltage per mm alternative to polyethelene. Great video thankyou.

@AssExtinction 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@JustinHallPlus 9 жыл бұрын

I saw a really cool video where a capacitor made of a glass jar, and two pieces of foil was charged. The foil was removed while it was still charged, and then touched together with no discharge, however when the foil was replaced the capacitor was still charged. This shows that the charge is not held on the conductor, but on the outside of the dielectric, at least with a simple leyden jar.

@RimstarOrg 9 жыл бұрын

Justin Hall Yeah, the charge is sprayed onto the dielectric as the metal electrode is removed. That might have been MIT's video or that might have been my own video. Here's mine about dissectible capacitors kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nbaIqZNnmLWZcmw.html

@johnrobinson4445 7 жыл бұрын

Great stuff.

@Eddygeek18 10 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the reply :) yeah i had a big idea of making an electric gyrocopter type thing using car batterys transformers and massive motors, i then realise the weight to lift ratio wouldnt allow it to fly but i'm still working on it lol :)

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! And I never get tired of the feedback, so thank you. Yeah, capacitors are my favorite electronic component. Go electric field!

@democracyforall 4 жыл бұрын

When the current is off the scale how much is the max on the scale?

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

I just checked. It's 13 picofarads. And thanks! I'm glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

@Bashnja1 2 жыл бұрын

At only 13pf it has very limited useability, to make a useable value of several hundred or thousands of Pf the thing would be unmanageably large.

@imchi 10 жыл бұрын

Can you give me a hint what "Super Corona Dope" consists of you use at 07:44 ? I cannot find it anywhere in Germany! Thanks

@TickyTack23 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, gave you another subscription!

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Ah, thanks for clarifying. And I agree that adding layers of insulation between the electrodes changes the capacity. But if you're going to be using a certain voltage range then your capacitor will have to be able to handle those voltages. Since it affects the capacity, you'll have to change something, like increase the surface area, to increase the capacity at the same time. That's why at 1:11 I refer to my video that talks more of the variables.

@TrashcanScienceStuff 5 ай бұрын

hi first thank you for the simplified explaination that i could not have found anywhere else on the internet, and i have a question please, that capacitance formula is there a similar formula for batteries i am trying to make a salt water batterie using zink and copper electrodes and i wonder if there is a similar formula to calculate the estimated capacity and voltage 🙏🙏🙏 and thank you

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

I have on my list to try an ultracapacitor. Of course, if it works I'll make a video. Though a simple way of getting MF is to make a spiral capacitor like I did in my other How to Make a Capacitor video, but with linger strips.

@jimawhitaker 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir, I have been wondering how people are measuring currents from things running at 20 kv+ with regular multimeters. Right now I don't own and analog meter but could buy a cheap one just for this. By the way I really like the old Radio Shack meter. At one time they actually had good equipment. I have one of their digitals that was made by Fluke :-)

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@Landotter1 10 жыл бұрын

As an addition, you may consider showing how to make a HV tesla coil capacitor/s to form a bank for the proper value... series/parallel, etc. I made one 20 years ago with thick polyethelene sheet and aluminum flashing submerged in mineral oil bath in a piece of 6 in. pvc... Sadly, i never got to build my coil and gave the thing away...

@RimstarOrg 10 жыл бұрын

You can definitely find it, but just made by a different company. It's use in electronics for helping prevent voltage breakdown. Look in electronics stores and electronics supply websites for "corona dope". It has a very high dielectric strength/breakdown voltage. Look in electronics stores and electronics supply websites for "corona dope". I just put a link for you in the description for this video to the webpage of the manufacturer, MG Chemicals, part number 4226.

@dalenassar9152 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making all of these great videos--you are a natural. I really enjoy the math and physics that you use. I had ti write about something in this video that I briefly saw at about timestamp 3:30 ...It was too quick for me to be sure but that reddish variac there looked like one in a large group that has a very dangerous flaw. In the ones with an outlet (and perhaps others too) the HOT and NEUTRAL lines are reversed! Just set it to about 115v and test it with one of those home mains testers. Do you have any plans on using the N2 laser as an energy source for the photo-electron emission in the photoelectric effect. I remember briefly discussing it some time back.

@RimstarOrg 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. I'll check my VARIAC. It's been leaking magic smoke lately anyhow so its due for an overhaul anyway. Re the N2 laser and the photoelectric effect, I do recall our discussion about it and have it on my todo list. Just haven't gotten around to it.

@forrestmorgan3222 9 жыл бұрын

Sir You are Genius. I wind large Ruhmkorff Coils, and started with Layered, at 9 years old. My Coils work fine. Finding the "best" capacitor, is more trial and error then math. Oh to have a brain like Yours.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Since you're using AC and not DC, the capacitor is being constantly charged and discharged and with alternating polarity. I suspect the vibration is the plates being attached to each other when charged and then relaxing when discharged. The way I suspect there's a loss is that since the plates are free to vibrate a bit, they must not always be as close as they can be. If they're as close as they can be then they'd always have as high a capacitance as they can have.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

It's used for this purpose quite a bit; it wasn't my idea, I was just following common practice. From wikipedia it's used "in transformers where it is known as transformer oil, and in high voltage switchgear where mineral oil is used as an insulator and as a coolant to disperse switching arcs." It's not considered flammable because its flashpoint is above 100F/38C, but is considered combustible for the same reason.

@RimstarOrg 10 жыл бұрын

No, I don't know. I've heard of run or start capacitors but I don't know how they're used or what type are needed.

@ExoticHacksXD 11 жыл бұрын

thx for the reply but i was really aiming for what type would be best for a Marx generator

@edwinbickel 8 жыл бұрын

RimStarOrg, Great info! Do you remember what your camera settings were to catch the corona on film?

@RimstarOrg 8 жыл бұрын

+Edwin Bickel Thanks! And no, I don't remember the camera settings. Though with the high current from the power supply I used here I may have just had it all on automatic. The corona from this power supply is easily visible to the naked eye. With the low amperage from my Wimshurst machine however, for example, it can be faint to see with the naked eye and I sometimes have to turn up the camera Exposure to get the corona visible on camera. I had to do that when filming my corona motor version 1, as well as turn up the blue and red in the video editor.

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Welcome to my channel!

@saritalowynevin 9 жыл бұрын

hi i like your video so much. is it possible to modify a power inverter to power up 75 volts and 500 amps. gadget from a 12 volts battery??

@bryantlarsen4462 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your great videos. They are well planned, thought out, and explained so people can easily understand them. I have a question regarding home made capacitors. When building a capacitor, which is the bigger limiting factor - the plates or dielectric? Meaning is the size of the plates a bigger requirement to meet certain parameters? or the dielectric? Also, If I build a capacitor for a certain use, and the voltage is higher than what can be handled, do I just put a resistor and fuse to limit the power? For example, I build a 200V capacitor, and use it in a circuit with a 50V motor. Do I put a 50V resistor and maybe a fuse to limit the power to the motor? I am new to the details of electronics. I am informed enough on building off the shelf stuff, but individual circuits and components are a new world to me. Thank you for your help! I really appreciate your helping people with your videos. I watch them first, research more so I understand it better, then show my kids.

@RimstarOrg 8 жыл бұрын

+Bryant Larsen Regarding the limiting factor difference between plates and dielectric, it depends on what factor you're talking about, capacitance or breakdown voltage. You can see all the things that affect breakdown voltage in this video (I won't repeat it all here.) Capacitance is determined by a mix of things which I go over in my other capacitor making kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdyVfJyYva_XeKs.html video. If you build a 200V capacitor, that just means the capacitor can handle 200V before it breaks. It doesn't mean you'll be charging it to 200V; that's up to your circuit to do. If your circuit can produce only 40V then the 200V capacitor will charge to only 40V.

@stijntje111 11 жыл бұрын

As a test of dielectric i put the electrodes of my 9000 Volt transformer to a sheet of 3mm glass. The glass din't break but I hear a buzzing. Do you think there is energie loss between the electrodes?

@mathhuemcmahon 11 жыл бұрын

Awesome videos. Would you be able to do a video of what's inside a microwave ac cap?

@RimstarOrg 11 жыл бұрын

Oh interesting. I never noticed that before. Even the wikipedia page says "it decreases slightly with increased sample thickness." Almost sounds like there should be a volts/mil/mil value or something.