Series Inductance
Calculate the total inductance of inductors connected in series.
An inductor is a passive component that stores energy in the form of a magnetic field when an electric current passes through it. It is constructed by winding wire around a core made of magnetic or non-magnetic material. The primary characteristic of an inductor is its inductance (L) — a measure of its ability to store energy in the magnetic field.
When current flows through the coil of an inductor, a magnetic field is generated around the coil. The magnetic field stores energy, and when the current through the inductor changes, the magnetic field collapses, releasing the stored energy back into the circuit. This property makes inductors different from capacitors, which store energy in an electric field.
Why Inductors Are Used
Inductors are used in electronic circuits for a wide range of purposes:
- Filtering and Signal Processing
- Energy Storage
- Inductive Load Control
- Magnetic Coupling & Transformers
- Chokes and Inductive Reactors
- Inductive Sensing and Detection
- Resonant Circuits
- Energy Conversion
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Suppression
About This Calculator
This calculator computes the total series inductance by summing the individual inductance values. Simply input the number of inductors and their respective inductance values to get the total inductance.
Understanding Series Inductance
Key Properties
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Current | Similar to resistors in series, the current flowing through every inductor in the circuit is the same |
| Total Inductance | When inductors are coupled in series, the circuit's total inductance increases |
| Voltage | The voltage across each inductor can change based on the overall current and the individual inductance values |
| Connection | Clear the leads and terminals of each inductor before connecting the free leads to other components |
| Mutual Induction | When two inductors are connected in series, their magnetic fields influence one another |
| Impedance | Similar to series resistors, series inductors exhibit uniform current flow and total impedance addition |
Real-World Applications
Series inductance is employed in many circuits including resonant circuits, transformers, and filters. Understanding series inductance is essential for circuit design and analysis, enabling engineers to anticipate circuit behavior and maximize efficiency.
Conclusion
Series inductance is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering. Understanding its characteristics is essential for building and debugging complicated circuits.
Formula
where:
- = Total Inductance (H)
- = Individual Inductance Values (H)
Inputs
How many inductors to include (1–8)
Inductance of inductor 1 in henries
Inductance of inductor 2 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 3 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 4 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 5 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 6 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 7 in henries (optional)
Inductance of inductor 8 in henries (optional)