inductors step up voltage using the 'flyback' property, when you charge an inductor and then disconnect the current, the magnetic field in the coil collapses and the change in magnetic flux produces a high voltage spike.
if you have ever had one of those trick shocking pens, they have an inductor which is connected and disconnected to the battery repeatedly, and they produce voltage spikes which shock you
if you have ever had one of those trick shocking pens, they have an inductor which is connected and disconnected to the battery repeatedly, and they produce voltage spikes which shock you