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Experiment No. 07
Cockcroft Walton Voltage Multiplier Circuit
Objective
To design, construct, and analyze a Cockcroft-Walton (CW) voltage multiplier circuit,
understanding its working principle, and measuring its performance in terms of input and
output voltages.
Equipment Required
High-voltage AC power source (10 kV to 20 kV)
High-voltage diodes (20 units, rated at 20 kV/20 mA)
High-voltage capacitors (20 units, 1 nF, rated at 20-30 kV)
Oscilloscope
Multimeter
Insulated wiring
Breadboard or PCB for circuit assembly
Protective equipment (gloves, goggles)
Introduction
The Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier is an electric circuit that converts
low AC voltage to high DC voltage using a network of capacitors and
diodes. It was first introduced by physicists John Cockcroft and Ernest
Walton in 1932 for particle accelerator applications. Today, it's widely
used in devices requiring high voltage but low current, such as X-ray
machines, CRT displays, and particle accelerators.
Working Principle
The CW multiplier operates by charging capacitors in parallel during one half-cycle of the
AC input and connecting them in series during the next half-cycle, effectively multiplying
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the voltage. Each stage of the multiplier adds a certain voltage increment, and by cascading
multiple stages, very high DC voltages can be achieved. The voltage across each stage is
approximately twice the peak input voltage in a half-wave rectifier configuration.
Methodology
Circuit Design:
Design a multi-stage CW voltage multiplier circuit based on the desired output
voltage.
Ensure each stage consists of a diode and a capacitor connected appropriately to
facilitate voltage multiplication.
Component Selection:
Choose diodes and capacitors with voltage and current ratings exceeding the expected
maximums to ensure safety and reliability.
Assembly:
Assemble the circuit on a breadboard or PCB, ensuring all connections are secure and
insulated to prevent arcing.
Safety Precautions:
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Wear protective equipment, including insulated gloves and safety goggles.
Keep the workspace dry and free from conductive materials.
Never work alone when dealing with high-voltage circuits.
Testing:
Connect the input of the CW multiplier to the high-voltage AC source.
Gradually increase the input voltage while monitoring the output voltage using an
oscilloscope and multimeter.
Record the input and corresponding output voltages for analysis.
Measurement & Result
In a practical demonstration, a CW voltage multiplier was constructed with the following
parameters:
Sr. No. Input Frequency No. of Output Measured % Error
Voltages Stages Voltages Output
voltages
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Conclusion
The Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier effectively converts low AC voltage to high DC
voltage through a cascading network of diodes and capacitors. By carefully selecting
components and adhering to safety protocols, it's possible to achieve significant voltage
multiplication suitable for various high-voltage applications.
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