Inductance

6.1 Electromagnetic Induction

If a conductor passes through a magnetic field, an emf is induced in the conductor. If a magnetic field changes around
a conductor an emf is induced in the conductor. We already know that:
Electrical energy = Mechanical energy
I.E.t = B.I.l.b E = emf (V)

E= B = flux density (T)

l = length of conductor (m)
but E = B.l.v
b = distance moved (m)
Thus the following derivation can be done:
t = time (s)
E= l.b = A
v= velocity (m/s)

Φ
𝐸=
𝑡
These two formulae confirm that the velocity of the conductor through a magnetic field or the rate at which the flux changes is
proportional to the induced emf. The physicist, Heinrich Lenz ( 1804-1865), has shown that the induced emf will always try to
oppose the cause of the induction. This statement is based on the more general statement by Henri Louis Le Chatelier who said
that the changes to a system which disturb the equilibrium would always cause the system to react in such a manner as to try to
restore the equilibrium. During 1831 Michael Faraday did many experiments pertaining to electromagnetic induction. Believing
in the symmetry of nature, he reasoned that since an electrical current could create a magnetic field, it had to be possible for a
magnetic field to create or induce an electrical current. Lenz's and Faraday's laws were thus formulated.
Lenz's law:
The direction of the induced emf is always of such a nature as to oppose or neutralise the movement which causes the induction.
Faraday's law:
The magnitude of the induced emf is proportional to the rate at which the flux changes, or the rate at which the conductor passes
through the flux.
The formula for the induced emf is written as follows:
E=-
N number of turns
* The negative is used since the induced emf is in the opposite direction, according to Lenz's law.
* Refer to the sketch on page 34 in textbook when dealing with rotating coils, eg. generators.
Example

A coil with a length and width of 75 mm and 50 mm respectively has 25 turns. The rotating coil has a linear
velocity of 3,5 m/s. Calculate the maximum emf induced in the coil if it moves through a flux density of 0,75
T.
Solution
l = length per conductor x 2 x number of turns
E = B.l.v
(9,844V)
Example
A conductor with a length of 225 mm experiences a flux of 800 µWb. The flux halves in 1,5 ms. Determine
the emf induced in the conductor.
E=-
(0,2667V)
6.2 Inductance ( henry, H)

Based on Faraday's law we can say that:

emf = inductance x rate of current change

emf

* The negative shows the direction based on Lenz's law.

* A “change” normally means the second value minus the first, thus ΔI= i2-i1.

We also know that:

E=-
thus

=-
L=
This formula can be manipulated further by using:
 = µ0.HA and H =
L=-
L=-
When the switch in figure l is closed, a current, I 1, flows through the coil and a current, I 2, flows through the
resistance. We already know that current flow in a linear resistance reaches a maximum value almost
instantaneously, thus the instantaneous horizontal dotted line in figure 2.
However, when the current starts to flow through the coil, it generates a flux. This changing flux opposes the flow
of current through the coil. As the rate at which the flux is generated reduces, the current flow increases, thus
the curve for I1. In a direct current circuit a condition is reached where these currents reach a maximum value
which then remains constant. When the switch is opened, I 2 immediately reduces to zero. While the flux around
the coil falls away, it generates an emf in the same direction as the original I 1 keeping I1 flowing for a while.
This also causes a current through the resistor in the opposite direction to the original I 2. This current also dies
out after a while.

Example
A coil with an inductance of 0,25 H has a supply potential difference of 12,5 A. Determine the
value of the induced emf if the current dies away over a period of 10 ms.
emf
(312,5 V)
Example

An electromotive force of -2,88 V is induced in a coil when the current increases by 2,4 A in one second. Determine
the inductance of the coil.
emf
(1,2 H)

6.3 Mutual inductance ( henry, H)

There are many examples where two coils are deliberately or coincidentally close to each other, often even on the
same core. Examples of this are transformers, electrical welders, etc. When the magnetic field of one coil causes an
inductance in another coil, it is called mutual inductance. Mutual inductance is defined as follows:
Two coils have a mutual inductance of 1 H when an emf of 1 V is induced in the one coil, while the current in the
other coil changes uniformly at a rate of 1 A/s. The symbol of mutual inductance is M.
In mutual inductance calculations we refer to the primary coil as coil A, similarly we refer to the secondary coil as
coil B.
Based on the definition of mutual inductance we can do the following:
eB
eB emf induced in coil B
i2-i1 change in current in coil A
Based on the definition we can also say that:
e B NB

2-1 change in flux in coil A

By comparing these two equations, the following is found:

= NB

NB

Example
The change in current flow in a coil causes a drop of 700 mWb in an adjacent coil. This drop takes place
in 0,02 s. Determine the induced emf if the second coil has 15 windings.
Solution
e B NB

(525 V)
Example

The following data applies to two adjacent coils. The flux reduces from 1,253 Wb to 0,423 Wb in
1,5 seconds. During this period, the current reduces from 35 A to 27 A. Coil A has 135 windings
and coil B has 80 windings. Determine the mutual inductance and the emf induced in coil B.

Solution:

NB

eB NB

(8,3 H; 44,27 V)

6.4 Coupling coefficient ( k )

So far we have assumed that all the flux assosiated with coil A is also assosiated with coil B. This is not
always true. From the adjacent sketch, it is clear that some of the flux in coil A does not link with coil B. The
coupling coefficient is the constant with which the flux must be multiplied in order to find the mutual
inductance.
The following formulae is thus possible:
M
and M

From this it follows that:

k
Example

Two adjacent coils have a coupling coefficient of 0,7. Determine the mutual inductance if coil B has 130
windings and coil A has a flux and current of 0,95 Wb and 15 A respectively. Also determine the inductance in
coil B, if coil A has an inductance of 35 H.

Solution:

(5,763 H; 1,963 H)

k
6.5 Eddy currents

Until now, we have looked at inductance when a magnetic field moves past a conductor. Inductance also takes
place when a magnetic field moves past a piece of metal. This relative movement between metal and a
magnetic field causes induced currents to start flowing through the metal. We refer to these currents as eddy
currents because of their similarity to eddy currents in a river or whirlpool. Because of the opposing nature of
the eddy currents (Lenz), it results in the transfer of magnetic energy to heat. This characteristic is used in
eddy current heaters, eg. the heating of bearings.

When rotating discs are brought close to magnets, the resulting eddy currents have a braking effect. This type
of brake is very effective, but it generates a lot of heat. Induction motors and transformers use thin strips of
metal, which are insulated from each other, instead of one solid piece of metal to minimize the eddy currents
in it.
Exercise (Inductance):

1) Five parallel conductors move through a magnetic field, with a flux density of 1,2 T, with a perpendicular
velocity of 2,75 m/s. Determine the value of the induced emf if each conductor has a length of 44 cm.

( 7 ,26 V )

2) Determine the emf induced in a coil that rotates at 1250 rpm. The coil has 60 windings and a length and
width, of 0,7 m and 0,6 m respectively. The pole shoe has an area of 0,4 m 2 and it moves through a magnetic
flux of 36 mWb. ( 296,9 V )

3) It takes 0,32 s to remove a conductor with a length of 0,86 m out of a magnetic flux of 0,41 Wb. Determine
the emf induced in the conductor. ( 1,28 V)

4) The primary and secondary windings of an induction coil have 1200 and 4000 turns respectively. A current of
3,5 A generates a total flux of 700 mWb in the primary winding. Determine the inductance in the primary
winding and the value of the induced emf in the secondary winding if the current in the primary winding
decreases to zero in 0,5 seconds. ( 240 H, 5600 V)

5) The mutual inductance of two coils, A and B, wound on a common core is 15 H. If the current in coil A varies
from 2 A to 12 A in 0,3 s, calculate the emf in coil B. If coil B has 200 turns, calculate the change in the flux of
B. (-500 V, 0,75 Wb)

6) The mutual inductance between two coils is 0,05 H and they have a coupling coefficient of 0,78. An emf of 9
V is noticed in coil A with 900 windings when it's current dies away in a quarter of a second from 25 A.
Determine the inductance of coil B. ( 0,0455H)