Inductor
Inductor
An inductor is a passive electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. The key characteristic of an inductor is its ability to oppose changes in current, which is described by inductance (measured in henries, H).
How Inductors Work:
- When a current flows through the coil of an inductor, it creates a magnetic field around it.
- If the current changes, the magnetic field also changes, inducing a voltage (or electromotive force) that opposes the change in current according to Lenz’s Law.
- This opposition to current change is what gives inductors their characteristic of “smoothing” out electrical signals, making them useful in filtering applications.
Key Parameters:
- Inductance (L): Determines the inductor’s ability to store magnetic energy.
- Core Material: Affects the efficiency and inductance of the coil. Common materials include air, iron, and ferrite.
- Resistance (R): Every inductor has some inherent resistance due to the wire used in the coil.
- Rated Current: The maximum current the inductor can handle without overheating or saturating its core.
Applications:
- Power Supplies: Used to filter out noise and smooth voltage fluctuations.
- Transformers: Function based on inductors to transfer energy between circuits.
- Radio Frequency (RF) circuits: Help in tuning circuits and signal filtering.
- Energy Storage: In DC-DC converters and other switching circuits.