INDUCTors

The Basic Inductor

Inductance.
Inductance is a measure of a coil’s ability to establish an induced
voltage as a result of a change in its current, and that induced voltage is
in a direction to oppose that change in current.

Unit of Inductance.
The henry, symbolized by H, is the basic unit of inductance. The henry
is a large unit, so in practical applications, millihenries (mH) and
microhenries are the more common units.
The Basic Inductor
Energy Storage.
An inductor stores energy in the magnetic field created by the current.
The energy stored is expressed as

𝟏
𝑾= 𝑳𝑰𝟐
𝟐

where I is in Ampere, L in Henry and, W is in Joules.

Physical Characteristics of an Inductor
Core Material.
The material around which the coil is formed is called the core. The
permeability (µ) of the core material determines how easily a magnetic
field can be established.
𝑵𝟐 𝝁𝑨
𝑳=
𝒍
where L is in Henry (H), N is the number of turns, µ is the permeability
in Henry/meter (H/m), A is cross-sectional area in meters squared
(𝑚2 ), and l is the core length in meters (m).
Physical Characteristics of an Inductor
Sample Problem. Solution.
Determine the inductance 1.5cm = 0.015m ; 0.5cm = 0.005m
of the coil. The permeability
of the core is 0.25𝑥10−3 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 = 𝜋(0.25𝑥10−2 𝑚)2
𝐴 = 1.96𝑥10 −5 𝑚2
H/m.
−3
2 (0.25𝑥10 𝐻
350 )(1.96𝑥10−5 𝑚2 )
𝐿= 𝑚
0.15𝑚

𝑳 = 𝟒𝟎 𝒎𝑯
Physical Characteristics of an Inductor
Winding Resistance.
The inherent resistance per unit of length when a certain material is
coiled. When many turns of wire are used to construct a coil, the total
resistance may be significant.

Winding Capacitance.
The certain amount of stray capacitance when many turns of wire are
placed close together in a coil.
Series and Parallel Inductors
Total Series Inductance.

𝑳𝑻 = 𝑳𝟏 + 𝑳𝟐 + 𝑳𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑳𝒏
Series and Parallel Inductors
Total Parallel Inductance

𝟏
𝑳𝑻 =
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ + + ⋯+
𝑳𝟏 𝑳𝟐 𝑳𝟑 𝑳𝒏
Series and Parallel Inductors
Sample Problem
Series and Parallel Inductors
Sample Problem
Inductors in DC Circuits
The RL Times Constant.
The RL time constant is a fixed time interval that equals the ratio of the
inductance to the resistance.
𝑳
𝝉=
𝑹
Sample Problem.
Inductors in DC Circuits
Current in an Inductor (Increasing)
Inductors in DC Circuits
Current in an Inductor (Decreasing)
Inductors in DC Circuits
Sample Problem
Inductors in DC Circuits
The Exponential Formulas.
Increasing Current:
General Formula:

Decreasing Current:
Inductors in AC Circuits
Inductive Reactance
Inductive Reactance is the opposition to sinusoidal current in an
inductor. The symbol for inductive reactance is XL , and its unit is the
Ohm (Ω).
Formula for Inductive Reactance, 𝐗 𝐋

𝐗 𝐋 = 𝟐𝛑𝐟𝐋
where, f is frequency in hertz and L is inductance in henries.
Inductors in DC Circuits
Sample Problem
A sinusoidal voltage is applied to the circuit with frequency of 10kHz.
Determine the inductive reactance.
Inductors in AC Circuits
Reactance for Series Inductors

𝐗𝐋 𝐭𝐨𝐭 = 𝐗 𝐋𝟏 + 𝐗 𝐋𝟐 + 𝐗 𝐋𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝐗 𝐋𝐧

Reactance for Parallel Inductors

𝟏
𝐗𝐋 𝐭𝐨𝐭 =
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
+ + + ⋯+
𝐗 𝐋𝟏 𝐗 𝐋𝟐 𝐗 𝐋𝟑 𝐗 𝐋𝐧
Inductors in DC Circuits
Sample Problem
What is the total inductive reactance of each circuit below?
Inductors in DC Circuits
Sample Problem
Solution (a):

XL tot = XL1 + XL2 = 3.39 kΩ + 5.91 kΩ = 𝟗. 𝟑𝟎 𝒌Ω

LT = L1 + L2 = 2.7mH + 4.7mH = 7.4mH

XL tot = 2𝜋𝑓LT = 2π 200kHz 7.4mH = 𝟗. 𝟑𝟎𝐤𝛀
Inductors in DC Circuits
Sample Problem
Solution (b):
1 1
XL tot = = = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟓𝐤𝛀
1 1 1 1
+ +
XL1 XL2 3.39 kΩ 5.91 kΩ

1
𝐿𝑇 = = 1.71mH
1 1
+
2.7mH 4.7mH

XL tot = 2𝜋𝑓LT = 2π 200kHz 1.71mH = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟓𝐤𝛀