Electromagnets! E-LEC-TRO-MAG-NETS!!
mpark
Posts: 1,331
(IDK, I just like that word 
)
So I bought this 5V electromagnet, and I have a couple of questions.
That product is described as having "25kg holding force"[1] which makes it sound like the magnet should be able to lift a 25kg weight, but noooooo: the description emphasizes "This is not how much weight they can pick up!"
OK, fine. First question: What the heck is holding force, then??
Anyway, I don't actually need to lift 25kg, so I got the magnet and it turns out to be a little weak for my purposes at 5V, but if I bump up the voltage to 12V, it's plenty strong. BUT then it gets hot. Which I get. I was hoping it wouldn't be a problem with the low duty cycle I'm using but over time it definitely warms up.
So now I'm looking for a 12V electromagnet, but I don't know what holding force to look for. My second question: What is the holding force of a 5V electromagnet with 25kg holding force when 12V is applied?
Or maybe there's some better way to ask how to select a 12V electromagnet that will behave like my overdriven 5V electromagnet.
Of course this all assumes the 12V model won't get so hot, so LMK if that assumption is incorrect!
[1] We'll just ignore the fact that kg is not a unit of force
Comments
Having said all that, I just realized that once I know the holding force of an overvolted 5V electromagnet, I could presumably just get a 5V electromagnet with that higher holding force. That would simplify things by eliminating the need for a 12V supply.