Three Ways to Make an Electromagnet Stronger

••• Nivellen77/iStock/GettyImages

An electromagnet is a current-induced magnet. The basic setup is an electrical current circulating around some magnetizable material, such as an iron rod. The current and number of times the current circulates around determine the magnetic strength. Therefore, the same things that strengthen a current are the same things that strengthen an electromagnet.

Law of Induction

Magnetic field intensity inside a coil  (Dorman)

As current runs through a straight wire, a circular magnetic field is generated around it. When a wire is made into a circle, the current generates a magnetic field parallel to its axis. If you pile loops on top of each other, as in a coil or solenoid, you increase the magnetic field strength.

The formula for the magnetic field inside a coil is the current multiplied by the loop-count density multiplied by a constant.

Increase Winding Count

Solenoid field lines cross section  (Nuno Nogueira/Wikipedia)

By the magnetic field equation inside a solenoid, increasing the number of turns per unit length (n) of the wire around the magnetizable material will increase the magnetic field applied to the magnetizable material. Increasing the magnetic field applied to the magnetizable material in turn makes its own magnetic field stronger.

Similarly, wrapping with thicker wire has the same effect, but by increasing the current. Like a widening river, a thicker conductor allows more current through.

Reduce Resistance

Another way of increasing the current is to reduce the resistance. A more conductive wire could be used, or the circuit can be shortened between the electrical source and the magnet.

Increase Voltage

Another way of increasing the current is to use a higher electromotive force, or voltage. The relevant formula is V=IR, the definition of resistance. If V is the drop in electric potential over the entire circuit, and R is the resistance over the entire circuit, the current (I) through any point of the circuit can be increased by an increase in the applied voltage.

Switch From AC to DC

If the circuit is powered by alternating current, another possibility is to switch to direct current of the same voltage. The reason that a direct current is superior is because an alternating current switches the magnetic polarity of the magnet before it has time to build full strength.

Related Articles

How to Calculate the Inductance of a Ferrite Inductor
How to Strengthen an Electromagnetic Field
How to Calculate the Length of Wire to Make a Coil
How to Calculate the Field Current in a DC Motor
How to Calculate the Length of Cable on a Drum
How to Calculate Induced Armature Voltage
How to Calculate the Henrys in a Coil
Four Factors Affecting Electromagnets
How to Calculate a Voltage Drop Across Resistors
How to Determine the Primary & Secondary of a Transformer
How to Calculate the Inductance of a Coil
How to Calculate IRMS
Homemade Electrical Transformers
How to Calculate Electrical Winding Wires by Weight...
Simple Explanation of Electromagnets
Parts of a Motor
How to Make Super Strong Permanent Magnets
How to Use a Magnet to Create Electricity
What Is a Toroid Coil?

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!