Quad Coil – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A Quad Coil is a rebuildable atomiser configuration that houses four separate heating wires in one Deck“>build deck. Designed for high-wattave sub-ohmvaping, the four coils sit parallel or in staggered formation to multiply surface area, producing dense vapour and intense flavour. By splitting resistance across four strands, each coil runs at a lower individual ohm value while the overall build stays within safe battery limits. Beginners can think of it as four mini coils working together, heating e-liquid faster and more evenly than a single wire. Quad coils are sold as pre-built strips in mainstream sub-ohm tanks, or wrapped by hobbyists on rebuildable dripping atomisers (RDAs) and rebuildable tank atomisers (RTAs).

Technical Details

Each strand in a quad coil is typically 26–28 gauge Kanthal, Ni80, or stainless-steel wire, often interwoven with a cotton or Wick“>rayon wick. Total resistance normally lands between 0.10 Ω and 0.25 Ω, demanding 80–200 W to reach optimum ramp-up. Most builders use 3 mm Diameter“>inner diameter wraps with five to six turns per coil, giving roughly 12–14 mm² of cumulative surface area. Variations include quad core fused claptons (four thin cores sheathed by a thicker outer wrap) and staggered quad coils where spaces are introduced to smooth airflow and lower spit-back. Because four coils share current, heat flux per wire is reduced, extending wire life but requiring a Quick Charge capable battery capable of 25–35 A continuous discharge. Decks must have a Post Deck”>Quad Post Deck or postless design so each coil leg has its own terminal, ensuring Quality Control contact and even heating.

Usage & Tips

Install all four coils simultaneously and tighten screws in an X-pattern to keep the deck level. Pulse at 30 W first, pinch out hotspots with ceramic tweezers, then wick snugly so cotton touches every wrap without choking flow. Chain-vape cautiously: four wires store heat and can crack inferior Quartz Glass tanks if cooled too suddenly. Dry hits occur when wicking cannot keep pace—use lower-VG juice or widen cotton channels. Battery safety is critical; verify your cells are rated above the calculated 35 A draw and rotate married pairs to avoid imbalance. Finally, rinse coils weekly to remove caramelised sweetener, extending coil life from seven to fourteen days.

History & Context

Quad builds emerged in 2015 when competitive cloud-chasers sought alternatives to parallel dual coils. Early RDAs like the Mutation X V4 popularised the Quad Post Deck, while manufacturers such as Smok and Uwell later released plug-and-play Quad Core Coil heads, bringing quad performance to mainstream sub-ohm tanks. Today, the configuration remains a staple for Australian enthusiasts chasing both flavour complexity and voluminous vapour production.