CHAPTER 4 :

INDUCTOR &
INDUCTANCE
Basic Definition

 Inductor – consists of a coil of conducting wire

 Inductance – is the property whereby an inductor
exhibits opposition to the change of current flowing
through it, measured in Henrys (H)
 Electromagnet – temporary magnetic produce from
current movement
 Electromagnetic induction – electrical produce from
magnet
 Symbol, L
 Unit – Henry (H)
 Types of inductors
 Fixed inductor
 Variable inductor
 Construction of inductor
 An inductor is usually constructed as a coil of conducting material, typically
copper wire, wrapped around a core either of air or ferrous material.
 Core materials with higher permeability than air confine the magnetic field
closely to the inductor, thereby increase the inductance.
Inductor series circuit
I L1

e1

ET
e2
L2
LT = L 1 + L 2

Inductor parallel circuit

IT
LT = L1 // L2
1/LT = 1/L1 + /L2
I1 I2
=L1 x L2
ET

L1 L2
L1 + L 2
e1 e2
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Electromagnetic induction
Current rise & produce expand flux

Current fall down &

produce decrease flux and
V
cut the inductor to
generate back emf
i

V
V
 One process where emf and current will generate in a conductor
 Emf produced from magnetic field known as electromagnetic induction
 Characteristics of coil known as self induction & named inductor.

Induced emf
 Emf generated from flux change
 Emf generated from current change

d
e  N
dt
di
e  L
dt
Faraday’s Law

 By moving a magnet through a coil of wire, a voltage

was induced across the coil
 The faster the magnet is moved, the greater induced
voltage

N S

G
 Faraday’s Law
 When a conductor cuts across magnetic lines of force, an emf is induced in it
 The magnitude of the induced emf is directly proportional to the rate of
change of flux

Which:
d N = number of turns of the coil
e  N Ø = total number of flux in unit
dt weber
t = time (seconds)
 Self inductance

2 L = Inductance (H)
N o  r A N = no. of turns
L Henry A = cross sectional area (m2)
l µ = permeability
 Factors influenced inductance
l = length (m)
 Number of turns (N)
 Comparison permeability
 Cross section area
 Flux magnet route length
 Current flow
Rise & decay of current

 Rise of current
 Rt
i  I M (1  e L
)

 Decay of current
 Rt
i  IM e L

t
 Time constant, τ = L/R
 Energy stored in inductor, E = ½ LI2

Charging an inductor
 Initial stage
 VL = V, VR = 0 V, i = 0 A
 As time goes by
 V R ↑, V L ↓
 Final stage
 VL = 0 V, iO = I = V/R

Charging an inductor
 VR = V ( 1- e-t/τ )
 VL = V e-t/τ
 i = I (1 - e-t/τ )
 τ = L/R
Problem 1:
A coil of inductance 0.04H and resistance 10Ω is connected to a 120 V, d.c.
supply. Determine (a) the final value of current, (b) the time constant of
the circuit.
L = 0.04 H, R = 10Ω, V= 120 V

(a) I = V/R = 120/10 = 12 A

(b) τ = L/R = 0.04 / 10 = 0.004s or 4ms

Problem 2:
The winding of an electromagnet has an inductance of 3H and a resistance of 15Ω. When it is
connected to a 120 V, d.c. supply, calculate:
(a) the steady value of current flowing in the winding,
(b) the time constant of the circuit,
(c) the value of the induced e.m.f. after 0.1s,
(d) the value of the current after 0.3s.

L = 3H, R = 15Ω, V = 120 V.

(e) I = V/R = 120/15 = 8 A

(f) τ = L/R = 3/15 = 0.2s

(g) VL = V e-t/τ = 120 e-0.1/0.2 = 120 e-0.5 = 120 x 0.6065

= 72.78 v

(d) i = I (1 - e-t/τ ) = 8 ( 1- e-0.3/0.2 ) = 8 (1 – e-1.5 ) = 8 (1 – 0.2231)

= 8 x 0.7769 = 6.215 A
Discharging an inductor
 VL = VR = V e-t/τ
 i = I e-t/τ
EXERCISE
EXERCISE