Transformers

The transformers in your laser are the interface between you wall outlet and your laser. They step the fairly low wall voltage of your house to the high voltage required to charge your flashlamp's capacitors. This step of designing your laser determines what pulse rate and pulse lengths are possible from your home wiring and parts available. The transformers are one of the hardest parts to obtain.

Deciphering Variables

The variables required in the following formulas are measurements of your PFN. Below is a summary of each measurment:

c = capacitance (farads)

i = transformer current (amps)

I = home current (amps)

p = laser power requirement (watts)

V = home voltage (volts)

Vo = initial voltage (volts)

T = pulse rate; width between pulses (seconds)

Home Electrical

Before you design your laser know how many amps your home's main electrical panel can handle. If you don't do this first you could end up with expensive lamps and rod that could draw way too much power than your house can provide. The Ruby laser on this site requires 5A at 120V to power its six flashlamps. I'd highly recommend installing a GFCI breaker for this purpose to help reduce the risk of lethal shock on the home wiring side of the circuit (this will not, I repeat, will not prevent electrocution from the extremely lethal votages from such devices as the capacitors that power the laser)

Transformer Current

i = (Vo * c) / T

Credit goes to Chris Chagaris for this formula.

Example for the Ruby project:

i = (8075.73 * .000092) / 5

Transformer Current = .15 amps

Transformer Power

p = Vo * i

Credit goes to Chris Chagaris for this formula.

Example for the Ruby project:

p = 8075.73 * .15

Transformer Power = 1211.36 watts

Home Current Requirement

I = p / V

Credit goes to Chris Chagaris for this formula.

Example for the Ruby project:

I = 1211.36 / 240

Home Current Requirement = 5 amps

(Round up to 20 amps (#.89# amp Transformer Current), which allows you to make up for lost current in the circuit)

Questions

Question: What pulse width and pulse rate should I setup my Ruby laser for?

Answer: Your pulse width and pulse rate are greatly determined by the current available from your home wiring, the available transformers, and the lasers application. Most home wiring can only supply up to 15A, transformer selection is usually limited to 9000V 30ma neon sign transformers, and cutting laser require a high pulse rate and width, while holography doesn't. - Michael Robinson

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License and is copyrighted 2004 by Michael Robinson