This article for Simple Induction Heater Circuit teaches us how to make one circuit.
This circuit make iron things hot using magnet.
We call this thing “induction heating.”
WARNING: Making this circuit with big current and voltage is dangerous.
Do only with adult watching and use good safety gear.
Not good project for new people.
What is a Induction Heater Circuit:
Induction heater circuit is electric device which makes heat in one area using rule of electromagnetic induction.
When we give high frequency magnetic field to metal it makes eddy current inside.
This eddy current make metal hot very fast.
People use induction heater for making metal hard, for science test and for cooking machine.
Circuit Working:
Parts List:
| Category | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Resistors | All 1/4 W CFR | |
| 220Ω | 2 | |
| Capacitors | ||
| PPC 330nF | 2 | |
| Semiconductors | ||
| MOSFET IRF540 | 2 | |
| Schottky Diode UF4007 | 2 | |
| Coils As specified in diagram above | 3 |
How Induction Heater Work:
Induction heater uses high frequency magnetic field to make eddy current inside iron or metal with magnet power.
This eddy current makes heat and stop free movement of electrons in metal.
For iron heat make is same like current square (I²) times metal resistance (R).
Iron resistance is 97 nano ohm mete, so for fast switching this design must be very good.
Ferrite material used instead of normal iron transformer.
Formula:
Formula Show How Heat Happen in Iron:
This formula tell how resistance, current and heat work together in iron.
It show joules law a very important rule in electric.
Heat = I² × R (for Iron)
where:
- Heat is how much thermal energy come in joules (J) or calories (cal).
- I² mean current flow in ampere square.
- R is resistance of heating part in iron or in ohms Ω.
How It Work:
When we plug in and turn ON the iron current goes inside heating part.
This part are made from material with high resistance.
It fight with the current and make heat.
This heat come because of that fight between electric and resistance.
Zero Voltage Switching ZVS Technology:
This type of induction heater uses ZVS tech to turn ON MOSFETs electric switches.
ZVS make less heat on parts so system work better.
The circuit can auto match its frequency with capacitor and coil like tank circuit.
Using Oscillator:
It uses Royer oscillator whish is easy and self resonant type.
MOSFETs turn ON one after another because all parts have small differences.
Why ZVS is Good:
ZVS (zero voltage switching) turn ON MOSFETs when no big current goes through them.
This is safe and cool.
Because of that the circuit can work with heavy load which is up to 1 kVA with no big heatsink needed.
Formula for inductance L1 and capacitance C1 help find resonant frequency of the circuit.
Formula:
Formulas for Simple Induction Heater Circuit:
f = 1 / (2π × √L × C)
where:
- f is resonant frequency of circuit in hertz Hz.
- π (pi) is math number which is about 3.14159, multiply by 2 to get 2π.
- L is inductor value measured in henries H.
- C is capacitor value measured in farads F.
- √ means square root.
How This Formula Work:
Think like swing.
C capacitor is like person weight on swing.
L inductor is like swing chain length.
When we change L or C the swing move faster or slower.
Same way we can change frequency in circuit.
This formula say the frequency is opposite to square root of L times C.
Parts Needed Component Specification:
For induction heater use MOSFETs like IRF540 which has 110V and 33A rating.
Even if heatsinks is used heat stays under control.
We can also use other N-channel MOSFETs if they have good enough rating.
Inductor and Tank Circuit:
Inductor (big coil) work like blocker which stops high frequency from going to power supply.
It also keep current in safe limit.
Use thick wire for inductor because current is big.
Value of this inductor should be more than work coil like 2mH.
Tank circuit has C1 and L1 which makes high frequency and handle lot of heat and current.
Strong Induction Heater Design:
This design uses ZVS method and is based on Mazzilli driver idea.
It has 2 current limiter coils and 1 work coil.
No center tap needed.
It heat big metal parts fast with push-pull action and both side working together.
Power Output:
If we give 48V and 25A circuit gives around 1200 watts power.
This is very strong it can melt 1 cm thick bolt in less than 1 minute.
This design module is also easy to find and use.
How to Build:
To build a Simple Induction Heater Circuit following are the steps one should follow:
Make Inductor Ready:
- Use thick wire with high gauge.
- Wind coil with center tap.
- Inductor value should be around 2mH.
Build Tank Circuit:
- Take metalized PP capacitor like 330nF 400V and connect it parallel with inductor L1.
Make Oscillator:
- Use resistors and capacitors to set Royer oscillator.
- Check values are right so circuit work stable.
Connect MOSFETs:
- Use N-channel MOSFETs like IRF540.
- Connect them correct in circuit.
- Double check wire and place are OK.
Add Schottky Diodes:
- Put Schottky diodes across each MOSFETs gate and source.
- This help remove gate charge when not working which is good for fast switching.
Use Quick Recovery Diodes:
- Add fast switching diodes if needed.
- These help control current in high frequency.
Check All Connections:
- Look for every wire again.
- No loose wire no missing part.
Connect Power Supply:
- Connect the power supply to circuit.
- Check voltage and current are right for the setup.
Test the Circuit:
- Turn ON the circuit and watch how it works.
- See if it oscillate are correct at resonance frequency.
- Touch parts carefully with no overheating.
Modify If Needed:
- If something does not work good then change some part values.
- Try make it better.
Connect the Load:
- Connect the work coil or metal object to test heating.
- Be careful and follow safety rules.
Conclusion:
To make this Simple Induction Heater Circuit we need some electronic skill and wiring knowledge.
If not sure better to look circuit diagram or ask expert person to help.
Always turn OFF circuit when changing anything.