Electronic circuit for excitation of inductive loads with high currents

It is often challenging to supply high alternating currents at high frequency to inductive loads, because it demands very high voltages at the load terminals. Usually, in such a scenario, the use of large, heavy and expensive high-voltage/power active devices is mandatory. However, the set of requirements of an ongoing project, demanding portability, low cost and electrical efficiency, led to the necessity of working on that issue. An original method that enables the use of low-voltage active devices and a low-voltage source to supply high currents to inductive loads is described. The basic principle used was the reduction of the equivalent impedance seen by the active devices at the desired frequency, leading to lower terminal voltages. Further adaptations were made, including measures to improve power dissipation and protection from transients. The respective developed electronic circuit is shown and experimentally analysed.