Induction heater circuit. How to make a simple induction heater with your own hands

Induction heater is a high stage of the evolution of electrical appliances. Thanks to such a device, it is possible to significantly save energy consumption. The thermal generator used in this device is completely harmless, it does not emit soot at work. For example, the efficiency of conversion of electrical energy into a thermal boiler (the induction heater circuit is shown below) is second only to an infra-red heater. However, unlike IR devices, which are sold only in specialized stores, induction heaters can not only be bought, but also assembled by themselves.

Such devices come in several levels of complexity and purpose, for example, for water and metal. Their devices, of course, differ, but the principle of operation is identical. The photo below shows the circuit of the induction heater of metal, it is quite easy to assemble this device.

So, in this article we will consider the process of assembling an induction heater from improvised tools, which can be found in the "bins" of any home master.

How does the induction heater, made by own hands?

The principle of the homemade heater does not differ from the factory device. That is, the coolant circulates in the core, heating from its walls or contents. It is heated by the eddy currents generated by the winding.

Important : the polymer cores are stuffed with chopped wire!

In turn, the winding is wound on the body of the core and is closed to a high frequency current source. It is this energy capable of generating an alternating electromagnetic field - the root cause of the appearance of eddy currents in a fixed core (or its filler).

The scheme of the induction water heater, presented below, is often used in heating boilers.

A conventional welding inverter or a more complex system based on a transformer and a frequency converter can act as a source of high-frequency alternating current.

It should be noted that with the right approach to selecting a source and forming a winding, you can create a truly effective device that will work no worse than a factory analog. By the way, in its complete set there is always the instruction and the scheme of the induction heater.

We collect the induction device with our own hands: important details

To collect such a heater you will need:

• Welding inverter;
• Generating a welding current of at least 15 amperes, with a high-frequency type and with a smooth adjustment.

It is this device that will be the source of an alternating electric current of high frequency feeding the inductor.

After that, you need to take a copper wire. Wind it with a spring on the core body. This device will act as an inductor. It is very important to connect the wires to the terminals of the inverter, avoiding adhesions and twisting. On this basis, the length of the material used to form the core must be of sufficient length. The number of turns is usually 50, and the diameter of the wire is usually 3 mm. The induction heater circuit shows the sequence of connection of the individual components.

Making the core

The role of the core is a conventional polymer pipe made of cross-linked polyethylene or polypropylene. These types of plastics can withstand the highest possible temperature. The diameter of the core pipe must be 50 mm, and the wall thickness can not be less than 2.5-3 mm. Then this part can be used as a caliber, on which a copper wire is wound, forming an inductor.

An approximate diagram of the induction heater is shown in this picture.

The heating element of such a boiler will be a filler of the polymer core - chopped pieces of stainless wire with a diameter of 7 mm. And their length can not be less than 5 cm.

Assembling the device using the example of a heating induction boiler

The process of assembling all these components into a single system looks like this:

• First, take a piece of polymer pipe, fix it and wind 50 turns of 3 mm copper wire over the future core.
• Next, cut the ends of the core, leaving 7-10 cm from the edge of the wire to the bends.

Important : The induction heater circuit is self-made in several stages, the sequence of which can not be violated in any case. To avoid mistakes, you must follow the instructions exactly.

• The next step is to install the corner on the bottom outlet. Moreover, the lateral branch of this fitting will be used as a branch pipe for the return of the wiring system. And on the driveline, you need to install a ball valve, overlapping which you can dismantle the core without draining the coolant.
• After installing the lower fitting, fill the core with chopped wire, trying to lay it as tightly as possible. After all, it is she who acts as a water heater.
• Then mount the tee on the upper branch pipe. This fitting is used to divert the heated coolant to the pressure circuit of the wiring. Moreover, the branch can be realized both on the upper and lateral branches, using the free branch pipe of the tee for mounting the safety valve. And of course, the connection of the tee to the pressure branch of the wiring is realized by means of a ball valve.
• After that, you can mount the entire structure in a casing (metal or polymer cabinet) by installing a welding inverter in its lower part. And for access to the control panel of the inverter in the case of the cabinet a special window is cut out.
• Check whether the induction heater circuit corresponds to the source.
• If everything is connected correctly, then in the final you need to attach the wire to the terminals of the inverter and fill the water in the core.

Safety of inductor heaters: advice of professionals

Making an induction heater with your own hands, you need to worry about the safety of the device. For this, it is necessary to be guided by the following rules, which increase the level of reliability of the common system:

1. In the upper tee it is necessary to cut the safety valve, releasing excess pressure. Otherwise, if the circulation pump fails, the core will simply burst under the influence of steam. As a rule, the simple induction heater circuit provides such moments.
2. The inverter is only connected to the network via an RCD. This device works in critical situations and helps to avoid short circuits.
3. Welding inverter must be grounded, outputting the cable to a special metal circuit, mounted in the ground behind the walls of the structure.
4. The body of the induction heater should be placed at a height of 80 cm above the floor. And the distance to the ceiling should be at least 70 cm, and up to other pieces of furniture - more than 30 cm.
5. An induction heater is the source of a very strong electromagnetic field, so this installation should be kept away from living quarters and enclosures with pets.

Summarizing

Induction heater, made by own hands, will work no worse than the factory instrument. It is not inferior in performance, efficiency and safety, of course, if all the rules were followed.