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Magnetic Power Strip

The purpose of a magnetic power switch, or magnetic starter, is to prevent machinery which has had the power removed, usually by a circuit breaker tripping, from starting up again when power gets restored.

I bought a cheapie magnetic switch from Woodcraft for $50 and put it onto my 220 V jointer. It lasted about a year. The official rating on the switch said 10 Amps, and my jointer said 8.5 A, so I figured I was safe. When it failed, I found two problems. First, the Start switch was stuck in the On postion. Second, one of the relays' contacts was stuck closed. (This is the usual failure mode of relays which switch high current to inductive loads: the coils want to keep current flowing, so when an attempt is made to break the flow, large voltages appear across the relay contact, leading to arcing, high temperatures, and welding of the contacts.) Contacts on all relay wiring were charred, which makes me think that the parts and/or wiring can't handle the advertised Amperage. I replaced the relay, unstuck the switch, and beefed up the wiring. While I was as it, I added a remote set of start/stop switches on top of the jointer, where they're easier to reach.

This got me to thinking that I could make my own magnetic switches, better and cheaper. Higher-current-rated relays and reliable switches would be a good place to start. Some type of protection for the relay contacts, such as a MOV (Varistor) should also be added. Here are schematics of what I came up with:

• 220 Volt (2-pole), without remote: GIF image, PDF print
• 220 Volt (2-pole), with remote switches: GIF image, PDF print
• 120 Volt (1-pole), without remote: GIF image, PDF print
• 120 Volt (1-pole), with current detector, without remote: GIF image, PDF print

The parts list contains a rundown of all parts for either voltage. I ordered things from Digi-Key, but the list has a column of manufacturers' part numbers (or trade numbers), so that you can get them from other suppliers.

By the way, there's a good article Robert Reed wrote for Woodwork magazine's October 2004 issue, in which he describes a magnetic switch that stays latched in response to current flowing through the load, rather that just the presence of voltage, as in basic designs such as this one above. The current detector (really just a transformer with a high turns ratio and fat wires in the primary windings) triggers a triac, which holds the relay latched. Reed's magnetic switch has the additional safety feature that it will shut off in the event of any interruption of current to the load, not just an overload tripping the breaker.

Magnetic Power Generator

A magnetic power generator is different from many other engine powered generators in the market. It presents a novel energy production capability which does not rely on fuels or produce emissions like those of large electronics facilities. A magnetic generator does away with the electrical energy that gets lost between the generator itself to your home, and thus, is a direct and waste less power system that is self contained.

How A Magnetic Power Generator Works

Basically, a magnet generator is powered by magnets. Magnets set on opposing poles will deflect each other. With this premise, if magnets were to be placed in an inner circular wheel, with another group of magnets facing them on an outer wheel, they would be deflecting each other indefinitely. And because there is no friction between the opposing sides, the movement would last a great deal longer. This perpetual motion machine is the pillar of every magnetic generator construction.

Magnetic power generators still have to generate power by creating the flow of electrons, which is accomplished by spooling copper wires around some cylinders in the inner wheel and pairing them up with another set of magnets on the outer one. This creates a typical dynamo setup, which produces electricity through the process of electromagnetism. The electrons can be harnessed in the form of pins in the machine. Pair this with the perpetual motion machine and free, unlimited energy can be yours with a cheap setup and good enough workmanship skills.

Pros of a Magnetic Power Generator

The magnetic generator business has advertised itself as a better sustainable energy source especially now that energy prices are always at their peak. Coal plants, the most used energy source is not a sustainable resource and many estimates range as to when we will deplete our fuel supply. Magnetic generators, done in a large enough scale and with technological efficiency, may be the best alterative not only in it being a fuel-less system, but also because these do not produce harmful emissions.

The do it yourself system these come in will be very attractive to those into home improvement and electrical systems, and are detailed enough that most novices have success without much past experience. Some may find it difficult to tinker with these things, but there are also others that are happy and comfortable with working with their hands. These setups promise to be cheap, and they are. Most of these items can be found in hardware stores and home improvement centers.

Magnetic Power Supply

Cons of a Magnetic Powered Generator

Again, the do it yourself nature of these setups mean that some will not try them out for the one and only reason that they have to work in order to make it.
Another is that being an old enough technology (with its roots in the 1200’s) , there seems to be little testing and regulation with this type of product, and this may lead to complications or hazards.

Magnetic Power Switch

Buying Guide/Tips

Most of these are made by the user, and this can be made to the specific needs, so the quality and output of these generators are entirely dependent on the maker.