Simple Room Ionizer Circuit

A room ionizer is a gadget that helps clean the air you breathe inside.

It works by creating tiny electrical particles called ions.

These ions stick to dust, smoke and other icky stuff floating around in the air.

To make these ions the ionizer uses a special trick with electricity.

It creates a strong difference in electrical pressure kind of like pushing really hard on one side of a balloon.

A common way to do this is with a part called a Cockcroft Walton ladder.

Circuit Working:

Parts List:

The operation of a room ionizer circuit involves the creation of a substantial potential difference (voltage) between electrodes through a high voltage setup often employing a Cockcroft Walton ladder network.

This voltage induces a corona discharge generating ions in the air.

These ions then adhere to airborne dust or allergens imparting a charge to them.

The charged particles are subsequently attracted to surfaces with opposing charges, effectively purifying and potentially improving the air quality.

The circuits functionality this DIY circuit incorporates a standard Cockcroft Walton ladder network serving as the central component of the room ionizer circuit.

The setup is designed to amplify the mains voltage elevating it to approximately 10kV.

The core principle involves cyclically transferring charge between two sets of capacitors during each mains cycle progressively increasing the voltage along the chain due to the operation of rectifiers.

The primary goal is to create an efficient room ionizer.

In theory, once all capacitors are fully charged each capacitor should maintain a voltage equivalent to the peak to peak mains voltage.

However, practical performance is significantly hindered by factors like leakage and corona discharge, impeding the achievement of the full voltage output.

The room ionizer circuit generates a slight ionizing current sufficient to reduce the output voltage to approximately 4kV aligning intriguingly with the optimal output for an air ionizer.

Beyond this voltage ozone production tends to occur instead of ionization, while lower voltages are inadequate for efficient air ionization.

Notably, a simple touch to the emitter point can significantly decrease the voltage output.

Safety precautions It is crucial to exercise caution despite the circuit demonstrating a high output resistance individual capacitors do not.

During circuit testing, prudence is essential.

Capacitors retain their charge for a duration after disconnecting the ionizer from the mains AC, posing a risk of inadvertent shocks when handling the PCBs back.

While these shocks typically pose minimal risk to a healthy individual those with cardiac issues or pacemakers should avoid taking any risks.

To discharge the ionizer, briefly touch the ionizing point with the mains plug for a few seconds.

For added safety running the mains plug along the diode connections on the PCB can effectively discharge the ionizer circuit.

Formula:

In Walton Cockroft Voltage Multipliers circuit, the peak input voltage Vmax multiplied by the number of steps yields the nominal DC output voltage Vdc.

Therefore, a maximum voltage of V_dc = 3 * 2 * V_max is attainable for the circuit above.

here,

• V_dc: This stands for the constant value of direct current voltage.
  3: This number (3) most likely refers to a rectification process related component.
• The DC voltage in an ideal full wave rectifier circuit would be approximately 0.637 times the peak AC voltage Vmax.
• Therefore, a factor of three may be multiplying that amount (1.56 * 2 = 3.12) and then attempting to estimate its inverse (1/0.637 = 1.56).
  2: This multiplication by two could represent a further approximation effort, perhaps to take into consideration additional voltage losses or circuit inefficiencies.

Here are a few more precise methods for figuring out Vdc:

Full wave rectifier made of perfect parts:

Vmax * 0.637 * Vdc – Voltage drop across diodes (subtracting the diode voltage drop while accounting for the 0.637 factor)

Diode voltage drop for a half wave rectifier is Vdc = Vmax * 0.637.

Recall that these are still estimates based on best case situations.

The Vdc value in real circuits may be influenced by other things.

How to Build:

Building a room ionizer circuit involves several steps and it is essential to follow safety precautions due to the high voltages involved.

Following are the steps:

Design the Circuit:

• Plan the layout of the Cockcroft Walton ladder network on the circuit board.
• Use a schematic diagram for guidance.
• Identify the appropriate values for diodes, capacitors, and resistors based on your design and desired output voltage.

Assemble the Circuit Board:

• Place the components on the circuit board according to your design.
• Solder the components onto the board ensuring good connections.

Connect the High Voltage Components:

• Connect the high voltage resistors and transistors to the circuit.
• These components play a crucial role in regulating and controlling the high voltage.

Power Supply:

• Connect the power supply to the circuit.
• Ensure that the power supply can provide the necessary voltage for the Cockcroft Walton ladder network.

Safety Measures:

• Use safety equipment such as gloves and safety glasses when handling the circuit.
• Ensure the circuit is properly insulated to prevent accidental shocks.

Testing:

• Power on the circuit and monitor the output voltage.
• Use a high voltage probe or a multimeter capable of measuring high voltages.

Adjustments:

• If needed make adjustments to the circuit to achieve the desired output voltage.
• Be cautious when making adjustments and monitor the circuit closely.

Safety Precautions During Use:

• Once the room ionizer circuit is operational follow safety guidelines for usage and maintenance.
• Be cautious when handling the circuit after disconnecting it from the power supply as capacitors may retain a charge.

Conclusion:

To conclude, It is important to note that while ionizers can reduce certain airborne particles their effectiveness may vary and potential byproducts like ozone should be considered.

Additionally, individuals with specific health conditions should exercise caution when using ionizers, and it is advisable to consult with experts or manufacturers for guidance on safe usage.

Reference:

Air ioniser