Located at our Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, the High voltage lab is used by students studying the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, final-year project students, research students and academic staff. Deakin invested over $1 million setting up the lab, making it one of only a few of its kind in Australasia.
Use our Tesla transformers
Students, researchers and industry can utilise a number of Tesla transformers within the lab to test electrical-related experiments. Examples of tests that are possible include: measuring of breakdown voltage of materials, testing the effect of pollution and contaminants on resistors (dust, dirt, salt), and examining the design of insulators used in high-voltage areas.
One of our more popular pieces of equipment, our Two 1mV DRSSTC Tesla coils are used to generate lightning-like shows for guests, tour groups and outreach activities. It provides a unique opportunity to safely make electrical observations up close.
When you study engineering at Deakin you get real-world experience via project-oriented design-based learning. You'll undertake team-based projects and develop solutions to current industry needs, so you can hit the ground running when you graduate.
The High voltage lab is completely shielded from electromagnetic forces, making it a useful area to test radio frequency devices. In addition, the lab includes a wide suite of electrical testing equipment including:
Capable of generating direct current (DC) voltages up to 480kV at a sustained current of 8mA, the high voltage DC rig is used for voltage withstand tests and observation of corona effects.
The high voltage AC rig can generate alternating current (AC) voltages up to 120kV with a continuous current of 25mA. This can also be configured to perform impulse voltage tests up to 50kV DC with a 1.5/50uS wave shape.
Pressure/vacuum test chamber
The pressure/vacuum test chamber is used primarily to observe effects of pressure variations on electrical discharges. It can also be used to investigate the electrical characteristics of gasses such as SF6 at high voltages.
Our partners are valued members of the wider Deakin engineering family, not just our school. Opportunities to partner with us include work-integrated learning and industry-based learning and placements, student projects, commercial research projects and services.
If you have further questions about our High voltage lab, please get in touch.
