Design and Construction of a Helmholtz Coil Magnetic Test Cell

摘要

A Helmholtz coil magnetic cell was designed and constructed in order to properlytest various systems of interest which involve sensing a magnetic environment as part of their normal function. The electric current feed to the coil is provided by a low impedance, close-spaced busbar assembly so that nonsolenoidal magnetic fields are kept to a minimum. Based on the calibration run described in this report, the Helmholtz coil is seen to provide a useable magnetic field for the testing of smaller items. A more precise calibration and an impulse driver circuit designed to exactly simulate the required drive current waveform would substantially increase the ability to perform tests on an absolute basis. As it stands, this Helmholtz coil and its driver circuit is quite useful for a number of testing purposes.