Zigzag Coil – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A Zigzag Coil is a type of heating element used in rebuildable atomizers (RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs) where the resistancewire is bent into a continuous “zigzag” or accordion pattern instead of being wrapped into traditional spirals. This shape maximises surface area within a given space, allowing more e-liquid to contact the coil simultaneously. The result is rapid, even heating and dense vapour production with noticeably richer flavour compared to standard micro-coils. Beginners often appreciate that zigzag coils require fewer wraps to reach a target resistance, while advanced vapers value the extra room for exotic builds such as staggered or Clapton variations.

Technical Details

Zigzag coils function by channelling current through a serpentine path of Kanthal, stainless-steel, nichrome, or pure nickel wire. Typical widths between bends range from 2 mm to 4 mm, with overall lengths adjusted to hit resistances between 0.1 Ω and 0.5 Ω on dual-battery regulated mods or mech tubes. Because the bends act as mini-radiators, heat distributes laterally across the cotton, reducing “hot-spots” and extending wick life. Most builders use 24–26 AWG round wire or flattened ribbon for easier bending; however, flattened Clapton or staggered zigzags are gaining popularity for cloud competitions. Spacing between peaks can be tightened for warmer hits or widened for cooler, more restricted draws, making the design compatible with both Tank“>Zenith Tank–style mouth-to-lung setups and wide-open Zeus Tankcloud chasing.

Usage & Tips

Mount the zigzag coil so that every peak lightly touches the cotton—too tight and you’ll choke wicking, too loose and you’ll get spit-back. Pulse the coil at 15–20 W while squeezing with ceramic tweezers to eliminate hotspots before final wicking. Because zigzag profiles hold more juice, high-VG e-liquids work best; however, Vaping“>chain vaping can still dry the outer bends first—tilt the atomiser periodically to re-saturate. If resistance jumps, check for loose post screws or microscopic cracks at the bends. Always stay within your battery’s amp limit; even a “Ohm“>Zero Ohm” reading on a Mod“>regulated mod can indicate a short. Finally, rinse and dry-burn every 3–4 days to prevent zinc alloy or sweetener crust from masking flavour.

History & Context

The zigzag coil emerged from 2014 Australian cloud-chasing forums seeking a build that delivered sub-ohm vapour without the ramp-up lag of massive parallel coils. By 2016, YouTube reviewers popularised the pattern as an easy intro to exotic builds, and today it remains a staple for vapers who want big clouds without Nicotine“>zero nicotine harshness or complex Clapton spools.