Experiment 3

Determination of self-inductance of an inductive coil in a series

RL AC circuit
Objectives:
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the coefficient of self-inductance
of an inductive coil.

Tools and instruments:

AC power supply + variable resistor + voltmeter + ammeter + inductive coil.
Theory:
Figure 1 shows an inductor coil of conductance (L) connected in series with an
ohmic resistance (R) and AC power supply. The total impedance (Z) of the
circuit is given by the equation:
2 2
𝑅 + 𝑋𝐿 (1)

Where XL is the inductive reactance of the coil and given by the equation:

XL = ωL = 2πfL (2)

where f is the frequency of the electric current = 60 Hz in Saudi Arabia.

Figure (1)

Experimental:
1- First, please note the maximum current that can safely pass through the coil;
it's written on the coil. Don't exceed this maximum current.
2- Register the value of the ohmic resistance R written on the coil. This value
will be used in the calculations of Z.

3- Fill in the following table with the value of current at each voltage value.

4- Draw a relation between V (Y-axis) and I (X-axis). You will get a straight
line passing the origin point. The slope of this line equals the experimental
value of the total impedance Z ( from Ohm's law).

5- Using the value of Z obtained from step 4, calculate the self inductance L of
the coil from equations (1) and (2).

6- Register the theoretical value of the inductance L written on the coil and
compare it to the experimental one obtained from step 5.

Results:

L=5 H, R = 10 Ω

4.7 4.2 3.1 2 1 V (V)

0.47 0.37 0.28 0.19 0.09 I (A)

10 10 10 10 10 Z

Calculations:

● Experimental results:

From the table we get

Z=10 Ω
2 2 2 2
XL = 𝑍 − 𝑅 = 20 − 10 =17.32 Ω
𝑋𝐿 17.32
L= 2π𝑓
= 2×π×0.6 =4.59 H

● Theoretical results:
 L=5 H

XL= 2×π×0.6×5 = 18.85 Ω

2 2 2 2
Z= 𝑅 + 𝑋𝐿 = 10 + 18. 85 =21.34 Ω

Conclusion:
4.59−5
The percentage error in the obtained value of L = 5
×100% = -8.2%