winding a electromagnet

[metalspider]

If I wanted to make a electromagnet with .5 tesla at the face with the dimensions of 2.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall, depth will be determined on what is needed to achieve desired gauss. What gauge wire with how many windings would be required.

Paul

[z_p_e]

The gauge is determined by the current that you will need. It has no effect on your inductance though.

You didn't specify core material.

I have wondered this myself, but not looked into it in any great depth. Inductance is the easy part, but how to convert to gauss is not so evident.

[metalspider]

Lets say it's a soft iron core.

Paul

[Honk]

It will be problematic to get 0.5 tesla at the face of an electromagnet, unless it has a return path or very narrow airgap.
There are so many factors that define the outcome. Here's some.

1) It is easy to calculate the magnetizing force at any known windings, currents and depth
   but the final flux result is mostly determined by the airgap, then current and permeability of the core.

2) The shorter the depth, the stronger the magnet, due to a smaller airgap between faces.

3) But a shorter magnet will also have less winding space and will be harder to cool.

4) Using a big core (not depth) will increase the strength of the electromagnet.

5) Oersteds  Formula for magnetizing force:  0,4 * 3,14 * Turns * Amps / Centimeters depth = H Oersteds

6) What you need is the strongest magnetizing force possible at resonable cooling rate.
    Knowing the formula you can calculate this yourself and then you should use the highest permeability core material one can get.
    But if you are trying to reach the same strength as a strong Ndfeb magnet you really need to use liquid cooling.

Good luck

[z_p_e]

I'm sure someone here with better math skills than I can point out the relationship between amp-turns and gauss output.

That's what it comes down to I believe.