Beginner

Electromagnet

Wind a simple low-voltage coil around an iron core and switch it briefly to pick up small steel objects.

Safety first, always.

ElectroLab AI teaches theory, low-voltage electronics, and planning concepts. Mains voltage, switchboards, fixed wiring, high-current systems, and legal electrical work must only be performed by licensed electricians where required.

Open Safety Center

Guided visual build

See it, place it, test it, then debug it.

Visual schematic

Electromagnet coil

Current through the coil creates a magnetic field. The switch-off spike needs a safe path.

Low-voltage model

TP1: coil current

TP2: switch node

TP3: coil temperature

Power low-voltage projects from batteries or current-limited supplies first. Stop if a part heats, smells, sparks, or behaves unexpectedly.

Interactive build mode

Electromagnet step-by-step

Move one build action at a time. Treat each step as a checkpoint before adding the next connection.

Progress

1 / 5

Current action

Wrap enamelled wire evenly around an iron bolt, leaving leads at both ends.

Wiring focus

Stage 1 of 5

coil core

wire ends

switch path

magnetic test

heat check

Identify the part and orientation before placing the next wire.

Use low voltage and short test times. Coils and batteries can heat quickly if resistance is low.

Project test bench

Pre-flight, first power, and fault response.

Treat this like the bench checklist beside the project. Tick what is proven, then use the symptom picker if the circuit does not behave.

Readiness

Do not power this yet

Pre-flight checks

Power source voltage matches the project parts.Positive and negative rails are identified and not swapped.Polarized parts have been checked before power-up.A current limit, fuse, resistor, or safe supply protects the first test.Meter is set to the correct mode before touching probes to the circuit.Coil resistance is not a dead short.Switch current rating suits the coil.Flyback diode path is installed if using DC switching.

Before power

Measure supply polarity and expected voltage at the rails.

During first power

Use current limiting and watch for heat, dimming, or voltage collapse.

After a fault

Power off, isolate one section, then measure from source toward load.

Build target

See magnetic fields from current and learn why coils need current limits.

Build steps

1.Wrap enamelled wire evenly around an iron bolt, leaving leads at both ends.

2.Scrape enamel off the wire ends so copper is exposed.

3.Wire the coil in series with a switch and a low-voltage battery.

4.Switch on briefly and test pickup with small steel washers or paper clips.

5.Turn off and check coil temperature between tests.

What you are learning

1.Current through a coil creates a magnetic field.

2.More turns and more current increase magnetic effect.

3.Coils can create voltage spikes when switched off.

Bench tests

1.Measure coil resistance before powering.

2.Estimate current with Ohm's Law before connecting the battery.

3.Check whether reversing polarity changes pickup strength.

Fault finding

1.No magnetism: scrape enamel better and check continuity.

2.Battery gets hot: coil resistance is too low or test time is too long.

3.Switch sparks: add flyback protection for repeated switching.

Upgrades

1.Add a flyback diode for DC coil protection.

2.Try different core materials.

3.Compare turns count versus current draw.

Project safety

Use low voltage and short test times. Coils and batteries can heat quickly if resistance is low.