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COMPARATIVE STUDY ON TRANSMISSION OF

ELECTRICITY BETWEEN WIRED AND WIRELESS SYSTEM
USING BATTERY AS POWER SOURCE

Ranchodhdas Chachadh

Adviser

Rahul Kamal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Abstract 4

I. Introduction 5

a. Background of the Study 5

6
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b. Objectives of the Study

c. Statement of the Problem

d. Conceptual Framework

e. Hypothesis

f. Significance of the study

g. Scopes and Limitations of the Study

h. Definition of Terms

II. Review of Related Literature

III. Methodology

a. Materials

b. Procedures

IV. Results and Discussion

a. Primary Comparisons 18

b. Advantages and Disadvantages 19

V. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations 22

Appendices 24

Bibliography 26
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ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to explore the efficiency of transmitting electricity to

lighting wirelessly through the use of a solid state tesla coil and how it compares to a

conventional wired system.

A wireless system of lighting a bulb or a wireless circuit was constructed, and so

as the wired one. The materials that were mainly used were the copper wire, battery,
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2n3904 Transistor, 10uf mylar Capacitor, 1n4007 Diode, 100kΩ (ohms) Resistor, and

light bulbs. The two circuits were compared according to brightness, effects, material

availability, price and construction time.

Based on the results, the wired circuit took more advantage than the wireless circuit

based on the primary comparisons which was used before to compare the two circuits;

brightness, price, material availability, effects and construction time. Though the wireless

circuit provided brighter light and material availability, the wired circuit was proven

better since it consumed less construction time, less harmful effects and a lot cheaper.

I. INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

These days, wireless technology had been a trend to most people because of its

use of electromagnetic waves(1) instead of wires. According to English-Word

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Information, “The first wireless transmitters went on the air in the early 20th century

using radiotelegraphy (Morse code). Later, as modulation made it possible to transmit

voices and music via wireless, the medium came to be called "radio." With the advent of

television, fax, data communication, and the effective use of a larger portion of the

spectrum, the term "wireless" has been resurrected.” Now, wireless technology had been

far more complex, in terms of distance or range, that it can connect all people around the

world.

On the other hand, wireless electricity is the transfer of electricity from a power

source to an electrical load without man-made conductors or wires(2). According to

pbs.org, on 1891, Nikola Tesla, invented an electrical resonant transformer circuit and

named it Tesla coil. Since Tesla's original experiments, researchers have gone to great

lengths to find safer and more efficient methods of wireless power transfer.

This study was conducted to explore the efficiency of transmitting electricity to

lighting wirelessly through the use of a solid state tesla coil and how it compares to a

conventional wired system.

Objectives of the Study

 To observe and state the advantages and disadvantages of both wired and

wireless transmission of electricity, specifically in lighting bulbs(3).

 To compare the two (2) kinds of circuits(4) (wired and wireless) in terms of

brightness of light, availability of materials, price, harmful effects and

construction time.
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Statement of the Problem

 What are the advantages and disadvantages of the wired and wireless circuit?

 Which one is better between wired and wireless circuit in terms of brightness

of light, availability of materials, price, harmful effects and construction time?

Conceptual Framework

Independent variable: Dependent variable:

 Wired circuit  Brightness of light

 Wireless circuit  Availability of
materials
 Price of materials
 Harmful effects
upon activation
 Construction time

Hypothesis

The wireless transmission of electricity will have more advantages than that of the

wired circuit, but will also have more disadvantages.

Significance of the Study

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People who are now still confused of the advantages and disadvantages of both

wired and wireless transmission of electricity will benefit from this study for they will not

only know these, but they will also know what materials they are made of and how they

are made. Thus, if these people would want to try this experiment, they will now what

advantages and disadvantages they will face and know other information before

conducting it, so that they will know what dos and don’ts they must observe and have

precautions in their experiment.

Scopes and Limitations of the Study

This study mainly covered the advantages and disadvantages of the wired and

wireless circuit in lighting a bulb. The only comparisons that were covered are the

brightness, price, availability of materials, construction time, and harmful effects of each

circuit.

This study did cover the transmission of electricity on other electrical devices

other than a light bulb. This also did not cover the effects of different kinds of batteries(5)

for the researchers only used two batteries with the same type and voltage(6).

This study was conducted at Espera’s residence, Curamen Subdivision, San Jose

City, Nueva Ecija.

Definition of Terms

1. Electromagnetic waves
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- they are formed when an electric field couples with a magnetic field. The

magnetic and electric fields of an electromagnetic wave are perpendicular to each other

and to the direction of the wave.

- they are the one that the wireless circuit uses to transfer electricity, instead of

manmade wires.

2. Wire

- It is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used

to bear mechanical loads or electricity and telecommunications signals.

- they are the ones that are present in a wired circuit and absent on a wireless one.

3. Bulb

- it is a device that produces light from electricity.

- it is the item used to prove how much power the wireless circuit can produce.

4. Electric Circuit

- is a conducting path, external to the battery, which allows charge to flow from

one terminal to the other.

- it could either be a wired electric circuit or a wireless one.

5. Batteries

- It is a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored

chemical energy into electrical energy.

- it is used as the power source of the two kinds of circuit, wired and wireless, to

supply power to the light bulbs.

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6. Voltage

- it is the force of an electrical current that is measured in volts.

- it is used in the researchers’ study as the measurement of the batteries and the

light bulbs.

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 Coil

One material needed in wireless energy transmission is the coil wire. Coil wires

are electrical conductors that are widely used in electrical engineering, devices such as

inductors, electromagnets, transformers, and sensor coils. In this project, the researchers
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will be using tesla coils, a spark-excited radio frequency resonant transformers type of

coil wire, which generates high AC voltages on elevated capacitive terminals and

produce high-frequency alternating-current electricity. This type of coil is best suited for

transmitting power for short distances without wires.The optimized tesla coil transmitter

is a continuous wave oscillator with a break rate equaling the operating frequency. Tesla

coils are also used to conduct innovative experiments in electrical lighting, x-ray

generation, circuits in sparkgap radio transmitters, application in educational

demonstrations regarding this matter, novelty lighting, and can also manipulate

atmospheric electricity and radiant energy. But even though tesla coils are considered a

general material needed in wireless power transmission, it is still a questionable matter to

normally use since it is dangerous because it is too exposed in circuits that may cause

damages not only in the transmission process but also in people that uses the said

material.

 Batteries

Batteries can be a source of energy that can be transmitted in devices through

tesla coils. An electric battery is a device that consists of one or more electrochemical

cells that convert stored chemical energy to electrical energy. Batteries are attached to a

circuit by its terminals located to its side using wires. Though it has lower specific energy

than common fuels such as in fuels, it is better to use them since it is a lot safer and easier

to use. These come in different size and shapes, used to power many devices used today,

such as flashlights and watches.

 Wireless Electricity
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Wireless power or wireless electricity transmission is the transmission of

electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without a solid conductor.

Wireless transmission is useful in cases where interconnecting wires are inconvenient,

hazardous, or impossible. In the latter, the proportion of energy received becomes critical

only if it is too low for the signal to be distinguished from the background disturbances.

With wireless power, efficiency is a more significant parameter; enough energy sent out

by the transmitter must arrive at the receiver or receivers to make the system economical.

Currently, wireless transmission of energy is commonly used in medical implants,

vehicles, and even in bulbs.

Though wireless electricity transmission is considered as a general factor of

electricity distribution, problems and errors still occur and are highly dangerous since it is

widely used by people to lessen the burden in using electricity needed for many purposes.

The main problem with wireless electricity transmission is that it is sensitive. For

example, when a light shone just from one place to another, and then use photovoltaic

cells ("solar cells") to convert the light into electricity, or to use a steam generator that

gets hot when the light shines on it. It turns out that if we start with electricity in one

place, convert it to light, transmit the light, and reconvert it back to electricity; quite a lot

of energy is lost in the process. Another one, according to a study conducted about the

near field techniques of wireless electricity transmission, its disadvantages includes the

distance constraint, or sometimes the field is unsafe, its initial cost is too high, and its

transmission sometimes need a high frequency. In the far field techniques of wireless

electricity transmission, its disadvantages cover radiative process, needing of line-of-

sight, and high initial cost.

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Though wireless electricity transmission is not yet widely used by ordinary

people, it encompasses advantages such as easy process, efficient energy transfer, no

wires, less maintenance cost, and no ecological wastes included. Wireless energy

transmission is an expanding project made by scientists all over the world to make

electricity transmission that is needed by people easier.

 Related Studies

According to Vikash Kumar of Graphic Era University, United Kingdom, one coil

can recharge any device that is in range, as long as the coils have the same resonant

frequency. "Resonant inductive coupling" has key implications in solving the two

main problems associated with non-resonant inductive coupling and electromagnetic

radiation, one of which is caused by the other; distance and efficiency.

Electromagnetic induction works on the principle of a primary coil generating a

predominantly magnetic field and a secondary coil being within that field so a current

is induced within its coils. This causes the relatively short range due to the amount of

power required to produce an electromagnetic field. Over greater distances the non-

resonant induction method is inefficient and wastes much of the transmitted energy

just to increase range. This is where the resonance comes in and helps efficiency

dramatically by "tunnelling” the magnetic field to a receiver coil that resonates at the

same frequency.

Weilai Li of the University of British Columbia conducted a study, “HIGH

EFFICIENCY WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION AT LOW FREQUENCY

USING PERMANENT MAGNET COUPLING”. According to Li, A new method of

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electrical wireless power transfer has been parameterized and experimentally verified

for a variety of size-scales and applications. The main distinction between this and

previous methods of wireless power transfer is the nature of the coupling mechanism,

which is a magnetic interaction between synchronized, rotating, permanent magnets.

Its main components can be viewed as equivalent to an electric motor, a magnetic

gear, and an electric generator. Its performance parameters such as power, range and

efficiency are within the same order of magnitude as previously known resonant

inductive power transfer devices. However, it has the distinct benefit of operating at

much lower operating frequencies.

A theoretical model of the new system has been developed with sufficient detail

to characterize and predict experimental behavior of various sizes. The theoretical

treatment has been divided into three main interactions: the motor, the generator and

the magnetic gear. The mechanism for operation, as well as a model for efficiency

and losses have been developed for each interaction.

The viability of this new method of wireless power transfer was experimentally

verified for two size-scales. The larger size-scale achieved 1.6 kW of power transfer

with 15 cm separation. The main target applications of this size-scale are for wireless

charging of electric vehicles and industrial applications. The smaller size-scale

achieved 60 W of power transfer with 10 cm separation. The main target applications

of this size-scale are for powering medical implants and consumer electronics. Both

size-scales achieved efficiencies in the range of 81%, and the operating frequency did

not exceed 150 Hz. The design and construction of the devices are outlined for both

size-scales.
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Misalignment tolerance between the transmitting device and the receiver device

was experimentally investigated, and related control schemes for managing the power

transfer were implemented and tested.

Additionally, the potential risk to human health from the time-varying magnetic

field produced by this system was evaluated using exposure limits set within two

widely adopted standards. For short-term exposure to the larger-scale device, the

fields met the standards at a distance beyond 6 cm, and for long-term exposure,

beyond 1 meter.

III. METHODOLOGY

Materials

Quantity Material 1 Breadboard

100 meters Copper wire 1/2 Board

2 Battery (9 volts) 1 Measuring Tape or Ruler

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1 Top load 2 Fluorescent bulb

1 pack Aluminum foil 1 100kΩ(ohms) Resistor

1 Paper tube 1 Scotch tape

3 2n3904 NPN Transistor 80cm Gauge 22

Quantity Material 5 Alligator clip

1 10uF mylar Capacitor 1 Sand paper

2 1n4007 Diode

Procedure

WIRELESS CIRCUIT

1. The copper wire was wrapped around the paper tube properly. The wire was 100

meters long but only 66.44 meters was used to cover the entire tube. 470 turns of

wire were taken for the entire tube to be covered. After wrapping, the both ends of

the wire are taped on the paper tube but a few extra centimetres were left at the

bottom. The secondary coil was then formed.

2. The excess copper wire was covered with the gauge and sand paper was used to

get the both ends of the wire. The wire with gauge was twisted in the same

direction of how the secondary coil was made. The primary coil was then formed.

The secondary coil was inserted inside the circle of the twisting of primary coil.

3. The circuit was assembled by placing the transistors, resistor, capacitor, and

diodes on the breadboard.

4. An alligator clip was used to connect the end of the secondary coil to the

breadboard, to connect the top end of the primary coil to the breadboard and the
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bottom end to the positive row of the breadboard, and to connect the voltage

source (battery) to the breadboard as well. A switch was connected to the voltage

source for easier activation.

5. A fluorescent bulb was placed near the secondary coil and lightened like a normal

light bulb. A capacitive load was then placed on top of the secondary coil and the

light of the bulb was developed into a brighter one.

WIRED CIRCUIT

1. A bulb socket was glued to the ½ board. Across the bulb socket, a battery with the

same voltage used on the wireless system of transmitting electricity was glued to

the board as well.

2. The use of the same bulb was tested for the wired system. The bulb could not be

handled by the same battery. Instead, a small bulb with around 3 volts only was

used because it could be powered by the same battery.

3. A switch for the bulb was also glued to the board and wires were used to connect

all the objects on the board: the switch, bulb socket and the battery.

PROCEDURE FOR PRIMARY COMPARISONS

1. Brightness. The wired and wireless circuits were set to place. First, the light of

the wired circuit was turned on in a room without light. Then, a piece of note

written in a paper was read by a researcher using the bulb’s light. The note was

drawn farther and farther until the researcher cannot read the note anymore. The

range of the light was then recorded. Same was done for the wireless circuit.
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2. Price. The price of each material used in each circuit (wired and wireless) was

computed/added.

3. Availability of Materials. The places where the researchers bought the materials

were recorded.

4. Harmful Effects upon Activation. The harmful effects of each kind of circuit

were researched.

5. Construction time. In constructing each circuit, the time was recorded on how

long it may be.

PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFYING THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

1. The comparisons aside from the primary ones were distinguished for each kind of

circuit (wired and wireless).

2. These advantages and disadvantages were counted for each kind of circuit, to

determine which one is better to the other.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

I. PRIMARY COMPARISONS

A. Brightness of Light
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WIRED CIRCUIT: The note that was written could still be read in 12.5 centimeters of

range away from the bulb.

WIRELESS CIRUIT: The note could still be read in 18 centimeters of range away from

the bulb.

B. Price

WIRED CIRCUIT: The researchers consumed up to P140.00 to P150.00.

WIRELESS CIRUIT: The researchers consumed up to P640.00 to P660.00.

C. Availability of Materials

WIRED CIRCUIT: The researcher bought the materials in a nearby electronics store in

San Jose City.

WIRELESS CIRUIT: The researchers bought the materials in the following: any

hardware shop like Ace hardware or Handyman, Marketplace, Bookstores, Grocery

stores, and Convenience store.

D. Harmful Effects upon Activation

WIRED CIRCUIT: Negative.

WIRELESS CIRUIT: Positive. According to transition.fcc.gov, it has been known for

many years that exposure to very high levels of radiation can be harmful due to the ability

of Electromagnetic energy to heat biological tissue rapidly. This is the principle by

which microwave ovens cook food. Exposure to very high intensities can result in

heating of biological tissue and an increase in body temperature. Tissue damage in

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humans could occur during exposure to high levels because of the body's inability to cope

with or dissipate the excessive heat that could be generated. Two areas of the body, the

eyes and the testes, are particularly vulnerable to heating because of the relative lack of

available blood flow to dissipate the excess heat load.

E. Construction Time

WIRED CIRCUIT: 34 minutes

WIRELESS CIRUIT: 3 hours

II. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

A. Wired Circuit

ADVANTAGES

- It can be turned on and off, but only by using the switch.

- It does not emit radiation that is harmful to people and animals.

- It could minimize the use of the battery, thus saving more energy.

- It is not sensitive. Even if the whole circuit was shaken with a great strength, the

circuit still functions normal.

DISADVANTAGES

- It cannot function without the use of wires.

- It could only light a bulb of around 3 volts, which is a quite small and emits low

brightness.
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- It cannot light the bulb without the use of the bulb socket.

B. Wireless Circuit

ADVANTAGES

- It can function without the use of wires.

- It can activate light without the use of bulb socket.

- It can light bulbs not only of 3 volts, but also those lights having up to hundreds

of volts.

- It can light more than one bulb at the same time.

- It can light bulbs even if there is a solid material/object between the bulb and the

wireless circuit, specifically, to the primary coil. For example, a plastic container,

a block of wood, and the like.

- After the bulb is put near the primary coil (>10 cm range), it lights up, and then it

could be put away for around 6 inches, still retaining its light, but the light

darkens as it goes further from the primary coil.

- In this circuit, light can be turned off in two ways: switching off the circuit or

making the bulb far enough to the primary coil.

DISADVANTAGES

- Like other wireless transmitters of electricity, this wireless circuit, if turned on,

emits radiation that could harm people or animals.

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- This wireless circuit doesn’t choose what it powers; it just transfers wireless

electricity to whatever device that comes to its range. (Proof: When the

researchers try to light a bulb using this wireless circuit, the bulb lighted normal.

But when we inserted another device (iphone) to the circuit’s range, the bulb’s

brightness decreased. The researchers concluded that the bulb shared some of the

energy it receives from the circuit to the device (iphone).

- Some of the open wires of this wireless circuit could ground a person lightly when

the skin made a contact with it/them.

- This wireless circuit is sensitive. Some parts, if moved, would make the circuit

disabled and needs to be partially rearranged for it to work again.

V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary
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This study was conducted to explore the efficiency of transmitting electricity to

lighting wirelessly through the use of a solid state tesla coil and how it compares to a

conventional wired system.

A wireless system of lighting a bulb or a wireless circuit was constructed, and so

as the wired one. They were compared according to the number of their advantages and

disadvantages after they (advantages and disadvantages) were tested and stated. They

were also compared according to the brightness of their light, their price, the availability

of their materials, and their construction time.

The wired circuit had four (4) advantages and three (3) disadvantages while the

wireless circuit had seven (7) advantages and four (4) disadvantages. The wired circuit

was less expensive, had less construction time, had no harmful effects upon activation

and had easier to buy materials; while the wireless circuit produced the brighter light.

Conclusion

Based on the results, the wired circuit took more advantage than the wireless

circuit based on the primary comparisons which was used before to compare the two

circuits; brightness, price, material availability, effects and construction time. Though the

wireless circuit provided brighter light and material availability, the wired circuit was

proven better since it consumed less construction time, less harmful effects and a lot

cheaper.

Recommendation
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Assembling the wireless circuit should be done properly and the researchers must

prioritize their safety as a one simple mistake can cause harm or danger. The researchers

recommend to wear gloves when assembling the circuit for safety. It is also

recommended to assemble this circuit as it can be handy for blackouts or brownouts. It is

recommended to keep the circuit in a place where children would not go to so no one can

play with it and get harmed. It is recommended to place a capacitive load on top of the

secondary coil in the wireless circuit as it brightens the light even more.
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APPENDICES

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE WIRELESS CIRCUIT

PHOTOGRAPH OF TWO BULBS LIT UP AROUND THE COIL

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PHOTOGRAPH OF BULBS ON TOP OF THE CAPACITIVE LOAD

PHOTOGRAPH OF A BULB HELD A BIT FAR FROM THE COIL

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