Building an electromagnet with a power supply

Thread Starter

hspalm

Joined Feb 17, 2010
201
Hi
I have seen tons of videos on how to make an electromagnet using a battery and a coil of wire wrapped around a steel bar. But if I were to make an electromagnet using a stationary power supply, I know I cannot just short the poles trough the coil (I know you shouldn't do this with a battery, either), but is it as easy as putting a resistor in series to draw the currents I want to flow trough the coil, according to the electromagnetic power I want?

Any other tips on making electromagnets while I am at it? I know I should try to get as many turns per length around the iron/steel (?) core.

Hopefully I will be able to use my homemade magnets in a half-year school projects after summer. The idea is to make a maglev train, driven by my electromagnets wich will pull the train in front, and push it from the back. The levitation part is already finished, where i used permanent magnets.
 
Top