Inside a 400 kV high voltage module ( epoxy removal, testing , circuit diagram, simulation )

It has been a while that I wanted to remove epoxy from one of these HV module which are sold as 400 kV devices. Even though I knew the internal circuitry to some extent, but i wanted to know it exactly and also I wanted to know clearly how to remove epoxy from a potted electronic circuit.
This video took a large amount of effort, and I have learned quite a few new things. hope you enjoy.
A functioning and clear procedure of epoxy removal using Acetone is presented. the schematics of this 400 kV module is shown. To my surprise the device after being removed from the epoxy was still functioning and so I could get the input waveform and measure the frequency of the oscillation. At the end I created a Matlab Simulink model for this device, and different possible failure modes of the device is discussed.

The last few weeks very super busy, working in the lab with Philip, reading many master theses and participating in the MSc defenses forced me out of Youtube for a few weeks. But here I am back.
Deeksha and Philip defended their thesis last week, so congratulations to both of you. Deeksha thesis has open a new line of research about transformer magnetic modeling. I am curious to expand my knowledge on the topic. Philip did an excellent job and demonstrated a hardworking and skilled student. Many days we had to work till late night to get the data and design a functioning pulse transformer. Thanks Philip and Deeksha for delivering a good work and for being ta motivation for me to learn new things.

Even after not producing videos for nearly a month still i am ahead than what i promised to myself.

Finance: N=26,
subs=578
Available budget (N):
578-100-26*(26+1)=-224
Storage limit:
2^ln(578)=82.11

[kaktusadas]

Hello, absolutely this generator does not generate 400 kV, no way.

[pasqualemasullo]

Hi, great video and analysis ! I really needed it! I'm now wondering if the output's waveform is the same of a Marx generator ??

[RichardKCollins]

Is there an open version of Simulink? I think it is too expensive. If I used it, there is no way to share. If I could not pay the subscription, I could not even access my own models.

[ianfisher]

This is the most comprehensive break down and explanation of one of these units that I have ever seen. A brilliant bit of work, thank you very much.

[jimviau]

Great analysis. One important detail: the output transformer has 6 windings in series. It is critical in this type of high voltage range. If there was only one winding with 6 time more turns, assuredly, the transformer would internally produce arcing and would burn very quickly. Hence, the importance of using 6 isolated windings in series, as is the case here. Great video, thanks, I wanted to open one of those for a long time. 🎉

[klausbrinck]

A great video: You don´t simply explain everything, you also lay out the whole methodology for researching a circuit, and even that is a win, for anyone with zero interest in this concrete circuit... But would you please upload also in 480p in the future, cause I´ve noticed that with time, less people do that, (usually just 360p and 720p), but I find the 480p still to be the most practical !!! I use a microcomputer (like a growng amount of people also do), and for my relatively huge 80cm-screen, 480p still has the best looks, while not going hard on the PC (480p isn´t high enough for football, but people using microcomputers, will watch much more videos like yours, than watch football anyway)...

[davelowets]

That's not a "voltage tripler" circuit at the end of the circuit. It's a voltage doubler, with a half wave rectifier diode, and the large capacitors, to change the output from A.C. to D.C.

[E-BikingAdventures]

Awsome. For years I was wondering what was inside one of these. 👍

[ramrode]

Hello Sir How Are You Sir can You Make Same Circuit in reality please sir 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Impossible_Fishy]

I have bought many of these (and fried many of these) I’ve always wanted to learn what’s inside them

[maukaman]

Great video! i learned quite a bit. id love to see more videos from you!

[fadrianmedinacarrasco]

Can you post the simulation file?
I cant see it ok 😢

[suryapratap_tech]

Very good explanation and the way of breaking down was also good, with some precautions, you could have gotten a perfect internal circuit. But it was very amazing, I liked to learn many things about that generator.

[Erhannis]

13:00 You were measuring the capacitances while the capacitors were still part of the circuit; that generally produces incorrect results, yeah? Since the other parts of the circuit may e.g. have a capacitance of their own. Edit: ah, you do mention this later.

[DallasTaylor]

Best testing, chemicals take off the skin and shock mild or not so mild 😅 5 Stars!

[xAF]

I've seen a few technical reviews for this identical HV module, but none of them attempted depotting it to see exactly what was inside, which left them speculating about the circuit details. Great video, impressive disassembly and reverse engineering! I have one critique though, your RC time constant numbers were correct but you count your seconds way too fast. ;-)

[rasungod]

They used to sell them as 40kV, but Chinese sellers always over exaggerate their specs.

[tchaklili]

How to make to make this chinnise module last as long as possible because I'm planning to use as a teser?

[Denis-opkl]

Can someone please explain to me how this transformer is working with dc current? Does it have something in the circuit that helps it?

[rodriguezfranco]

Amazing super detailed breakdown, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, I would like to see you build a well build version of this circuit using a flyback core, good capacitors and maybe a zvs driver at the step up