What is Inductor?-Definition, Uses, And Types

An inductor, also known as a coil, choke, or reactor, is a passive two-terminal electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it.

What is Inductor?

The electric force in the conductor is caused by the time-varying magnetic field when the current flowing through the coil changes. Lenz’s law states that the change in current that created the induced voltage has a direction that is opposed to it. Inductors are against any changes in current through them. The inductance of an inductor is the ratio of the voltage to the rate of change of current.

Many inductors have a magnetic core made of iron or ferrite inside the coil, which helps increase the magnetic field and thus the inductance. Inductors are a part of the passive linear circuit elements that make up electronic circuits. Radio equipment is one of the places where alternating current (AC) electronic equipment is often used. chokes are inductors that are used to block AC while allowing DC to pass.

They are also used in electronic filters to separate signals of different frequencies and in combination with Capacitors to make tuning circuits for radio and TV. The inventor of the famous inductor called it an inductor, and the term inductor appears to have come from him. There are certain components that are widely used in electronic devices.

These components include transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and many other components. Inductors are used in transformers, oscillators, and power supplies. They are also used for various electronic devices like televisions, computer monitors, mobile phones, microwave ovens, and many more.

Inductor Unit

The henry (H) is the unit of inductance and was named after American scientist Joseph Henry. It’s the equivalent of weber/ampere in the measurement of magnetic circuits. One H (106 H) to 20 H is the range of values for instruments.

Uses of Inductor

It is very important components for the functioning of a device. They are used for filtering, regulating, and protecting the device. They have different uses. Here are some examples:

Inductors for Oscillators

Oscillators are used in a number of devices. They are used in electronic watches, computers, mobile phones, and many other electronic products. An oscillator is basically an electronic device that generates a continuous waveform. The waveform generated by an oscillator is called an oscillation. When the waveform is interrupted by noise, it is called an oscillator signal.

Inductors for Transformers

Transformers are used to step up a voltage or to step down voltage. It is a method of increasing or decreasing the amount of current. A transformer is an electrical device that is used to increase or decrease the amount of current.

Inductors in High Power Systems

In high power systems, inductors are used to minimize harmonic distortion and to avoid the occurrence of high electromagnetic interference. They are used in many electronic devices such as TVs, computers, and radios. It is used in power supplies, which are used to generate, regulate, and maintain the correct voltage for a particular load.

Inductors in Filters

Inductors are used in electronic filters to pass certain frequencies and block others. There are different types of inductors in use such as an inductor, choke, ferrite, and wire-wound.

Types of Inductors

Depending on the type of material used inductors can be classified as follows:

1. Iron Core Inductor
2. Air Core Inductor
3. Iron Powder Inductor
4. Ferrite Core Inductor

Iron Core Inductor

As the name suggests the core of this type of inductor is made of iron. These are low space inductors that have high power and high inductance value. However, they are limited in high-frequency capacity. These inductors are used in audio equipment.

Air Core Inductor

The name suggests that the inductor’s core is made of iron. The high power and high inductance value of these inductors are low. They are limited by the high-frequency capacity. The inductors are used for audio equipment.

Iron Powder Inductor

Iron Oxide is in this type of inductor. They are formed by iron powder particles. The air gap can allow high magnetic flux to be stored in it. The core of this type of inductor is very porous. They are usually around 100. They are mostly used in power supplies.

Ferrite Core Inductor

ferrite materials are used as the core in this type of Inductor. The general composition of ferrites is a mixture of elements. There is a transition material where X is represented. There are two different types of ferrites. There are two types of ferrites – soft and hard. Soft ferrites have the ability to reverse their polarity without any external energy. These are permanent magnets that are hard ferrite. When the magnetic field is removed, its polarity will not change at all.

Choke

A choke is a type of inductor used for blocking high-frequency alternating current in an electrical circuit. On the other hand, it will allow low- and DC signals to pass. A choke is the function of this inductor to restrict the changes in current. A coil of insulated wire is wound on a magnetic core in the inductor. The main difference between chokes and other inductors is that they don’t require high Q factor construction techniques to reduce the resistance in inductors found in tuning circuits.