INDUCTORS

Application Notes
CONTENTS
1 Terminology
2 Parameters
3 Other parameters
4 Inductor types
5 Advantages of passive networks
6 Inductors in passive filters
7 Inductors in switched mode power
supplies (SMPS)
8 Basic topography
9 Inductor selection
10 Design example
11 Modelling inductors in SPICE
12 Design example
13 Limitations
14 Summary
15 EMC design considerations

1. TERMINOLOGY
Reading a specification for an inductor is
considered a simple task, however, there is
often some confusion even over the meaning
of relatively straight forward parameters. The
following list is intended to give a basic
understanding of what parameters are stated
by C&D Technologies (NCL).

2. PARAMETERS
INDUCTANCE (L):
The classical definition of inductance is a
constant that relates the magnetic flux linking
a circuit to the cur rent flowing in the circuit.
The inductance is measured as a reactance to
an AC signal at a single frequency (typically
10mV at 1kHz).
MAXIMUM DC CURRENT (I DC):
The maximum DC current is defined as the
DC current at which the inductance falls to
90% of its nominal value (see figure 1).
However, this does not recognise the effect of
self heating also contributing to a change in
inductance (usually inductance falls as the
temperature rises). Consequently the
maximum DC current is limited to a
temperature rise of 30C. Therefore the
maximum DC current is the value at which
the inductance falls to 90% of its nominal
value or until its temperature rise reaches
30C, whichever is sooner. When making
comparisons with Inductors it is worth noting
that many manufacturers quote a 30% drop
which gives the impression of a higher
current rating. C&D Technologies (NCL)
Inductors will withstand current spikes greater
than IDC for short periods.
SELF RESONANT FREQUENCY (f O):
Self resonance occurs when the impedance of
the inductor is purely resistive. At this
frequency the capacitive effect of the wire
and the inductance cancel and the relative
signal phase across the inductor is zero.
QUALITY FACTOR (Q):
In single reactive components the quality
factor is usually the ratio of the reactance
and resistance (ideally Q= L/RDC, where
=2f). The value quoted in the specification
is a measured value at a specific frequency,
this compensates for the capacitance of the
wire (all measurements are made on a
HP4191A and HP4192A impedance
analyser with a 10mV signal).
Figure 1: Maximum DC Current

INDUCTANCE TEMPERATURE
COEFFICIENT:
The change in inductance per unit
temperature change. Measured under zer o
bias conditions and expressed in parts per
million (ppm).
RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE
COEFFICIENT:
The change in DC wire resistance per unit
temperature change. Measured under low
DC bias (<1VDC) and expressed in parts per
million (ppm).
CURRIE TEMPERATURE (TC):
The temperature beyond which the core
material loses its magnetic properties.
MAGNETIC SATURATION FLUX
DENSITY (BSAT)
A core parameter which indicates the
maximum flux the material can be induced to
hold. At this value of flux density all magnetic
domains within the core are magnetised and
aligned.

3. OTHER PARAMETERS
SATURATION:
Saturation of an inductor occurs when the
core can no longer store magnetic energy,
(energy storage = 1/2 LI2 ).
EMI:
Electromagnetic interference in inductors
refers to the amount of magnetic field
radiated away from the inductor itself, that is
into space. This field may cause
interference with other magnetically sensitive
components and requires consideration in
circuit design and layout and may determine
the selection of inductive components in
certain applications.

4. INDUCTOR TYPES
BOBBIN
(1400, 1700, 1800R, SERIES)
This inductor core shape usually supports
very low losses, hence high efficiency
designs, that can often be wound to permit
high current at relatively high inductance
values. Bobbins do exhibit higher EMI than
toroids or pot cores, however, they ar e
usually lower cost than pot cores, more
compact and exhibit higher saturation current
than toroidal inductors of comparable
physical size.
Suitable for high current designs, such as
switching regulators and compact high
current filtering, where core saturation is to
be avoided.
TOROID
Toroidal inductors exhibit very low EMI, the
shape of the core means the magnetic path
flows only within the inductor and hence stray
field is virtually eliminated. At high
inductance values saturation can occur at
relatively low current.

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The most common form used in switching

INDUCTORS
Application Notes
and lighter active networks. However, there
are many properties of inductors which
cannot be produced using cheap silicon,
one that is immediately brought to mind is
use in power circuitr y. Another area in which
an inductor may prove to be cheaper is in a
simple filter circuit, active filters are usually
considerably more complex and often
relatively expensive to implement as simple
low order filters compared to passive
inductive designs.

Figure 2: Simple Filter Construction

At high frequencies, silicon and RC networks

become limited, stray capacitance and
transistor switching frequencies can restrict
design capability and increase cost, amplifier
stability can also cause serious problems and
grounding configurations require special
attention. While not alleviating all the
problems associated with high frequency
design, low DC resistance of inductors are
easily characterised and predictable
frequency responses can make circuit design
and analysis of circuit behaviour easier.
There are certainly some definite advantages
in using inductors in modern circuit designs
and these passive elements should not be
neglected. The following design notes give
some basic ideas for use of C&D
Technologies (NCL) range of inductors. The
designs can be used as shown or
alternatively the basic ideas adapted to the
readers own requirement. The notes are not
exhaustive and we welcome feedback and
application ideas from any customers,
similarly we are always willing to discuss
your requirement and can, if required, custom
design an inductor for your application.

regulators due to their EMI properties, toroid

inductors are also useful in applications
where saturation can be used as either a
limiting or feedback mechanism (e.g. chokes,
power filters). Toroids can be used at up to
several MHz with careful choice of core
material.

5. ADVANTAGES OF
PASSIVE NETWORKS
It is easy in the silicon age to dismiss
inductors as circuit elements in favour of what
are considered cheaper, physically smaller

6. INDUCTORS IN PASSIVE
FILTERS
SIMPLE FILTERS
Simple filters can be easily constructed with
inductor and capacitor elements. These filters
have the advantage of being easy to
calculate and characterise the frequency
response. They exhibit few of the secondary
effects and stability problems associated with
their active counterparts. In power line
filtering, inductors and relatively small
capacitors can be used to produce a
smoothed ripple from a spiked input
response, ideal for reducing noise in
switching regulator circuits and power lines in
noisy environments.
Simple L, T and section filters can be
constructed to provide low, high and band
pass functions (see figure 2). There are many
texts on this subject and these should be
consulted for details on more complex filters
and interaction between sections. These
pages are simply illustrative of applications
for C&D Technologies (NCL) inductor parts.

7. INDUCTORS IN SWITCHED
MODE POWER SUPPLIES
(SMPS)
There are many silicon switching circuits
available on the market from most analog
silicon vendors (Maxim, Linear Technology,
Motorola etc.). All the design notes which
accompany these devices recognise the
importance of correct inductor selection to
achieve the optimum performance of the
SMPS design. Refer to separate data sheet,
Silicon Support Magnetics.

8. BASIC TOPOGRAPHY

Figure 3: Basic Boost Converter

The majority of switching regulator ICs

operate a pulse skipping method of
regulation. This employs a free running
oscillator and a switch to control the oscillator
as a driver for an internal or external power
switch. The circuit is controlled by a feedback
comparator, the switch driving the output
when the circuit falls below the desired output
level and remaining off once the level is
exceeded (see figure 3).
There are many configurations for using
inductors and transformers in this type of
SMPS, however, here the boost regulator will
only be considered for our example.
Table 3: Inductor Selection For MAX631 IC
INDUCTOR
PART NUMBER

INDUCTANCE
(H)

9. INDUCTOR SELECTION

START-UP
VOLTAGE (V)

OUTPUT
CURRENT (MA)

EFFICIENCY
(%)

18R224

220

3.0

50

75

18R224

220

3.4

100

67

18R334

330

3.0

50

75

18R334

330

3.4

100

67

18R474

470

3.0

50

76

18R474

470

3.6

100

66

The inductance value for a switching

regulator must be high enough to prevent
excessive current through the diode and low
enough to store sufficient energy in the core.
The DC resistance should be low to reduce
losses and prevent self heating. The core must
also be capable of storing the required
energy without saturating. For general
purpose use bobbin wound inductors are
excellent for most cases, however, in EMI

INDUCTORS
Application Notes
sensitive applications a toroid may be
preferable.
The peak current (IPK) and inductance (L P)
value should be calculated for two worse
case conditions (i.e. maximum and minimum
values of I PK and L P). The final choice should
be an inductor whose inductance is in
between the limits of the calculated values
and which has a DC current rating in excess
of the maximum peak cur rent calculated.
(1)

I PK = 4 IOUT (VOUT - VD)

(VIN - VSW - VD)

(2)

LP =

tON (VIN - VSW - VOUT )

I PK

Where VOUT is the required output voltage,

V IN is the input supply voltage, IOUT is the
required output current (load current), VSW is
the voltage drop across the switching element
and VD is the voltage drop in the diode.

transistor.

11. MODELLING INDUCTORS

IN SPICE
If a SPICE simulation of an inductor is
required the simple standard value may not
be adequate for all occasions, particularly in
situations where the inductor is being used
either near its maximum DC current value or
when operated at near resonant frequency. In
a circuit using many low resistance parts or
where low resistance is significant, the effect
of the DC resistance of the inductor may be
noticeable in the circuit, especially when
using high value inductors that have high DC
resistance. The specification for an inductor
gives sufficient data to accurately model
some of the more complex effects of an
inductor in a circuit.
An inductor model can be constructed from

10. DESIGN EXAMPLE:

500MW SMPS USING MAX631 AND
1800R SERIES INDUCTORS
The MAX631 is one of the simplest switching
regulator ICs to use as this contains all circuit
functions except for the output capacitor and
boost inductor (figure 5). The circuit is a 5V
step-up boost regulator with a wide input
range from the start-up voltage to around
4.5V. The performance quoted in table 3 was
achieved using radial leaded inductors and a
standard DIL IC.

Figure 7 : 18R 334 Impedance Simulation

Note: The quoted maximum power rating of

many IC switching regulators are only
applicable at high output voltage (i.e. low
peak current). Consequently if trying to
produce power at low output voltage (i.e.
less than 12V), use a higher power rated
switching circuit or external switching
Figure 5: MAX631 and 1800R Series

Figure 7 : 18R 334 Impedance Simulation

Figure 6: Equivalent Inductor Circuit

4 passive elements, an ideal series inductor

and resistor, a parallel capacitor and parallel
resistor (see figure 6). The value of the series
resistor is defined by the DC resistance value
in the device specification (e.g. for a 1900
series 100H inductor, R DC=0.065). The
value of the parallel capacitor can be derived
from the self resonant frequency (fO ) of the
part, since this is the point at which the
reactance of the inductor is zero (i.e. the
impedance is purely resistive). At self
resonance the capacitance is given by;
(3) CP =

1
(2fO) 2 LO

Magnetic core loss is modelled as a parallel

resistor (RP) across the terminals. The value
can be calculated from the quality factor (Q);
(4) RP = Q (2 fO ) LO
This parallel resistor limits the simulated self
resonance rising to infinity. The model with

INDUCTORS
Application Notes
these four basic circuit elements models the
inductors impedance and phase behaviour
over a wide frequency range (see figures
7and 8).
The inductance value is not constant as the
DC current through the device reduces its
inductance, since part of the core is
magnetised (figure 1). The standard inductor
model in version 2G6 of SPICE can
accommodate this effect as a polynomial
expression for the inductance as a function of
current (equation 5), this can be entered in
the standard inductor description in SPICE.
(5) LI = L0 + L1 I + L 2 I2 + . . . + Ln In
Where n 20.
A simple 2nd order polynomial is sufficient to
model this effect and the maximum DC
current value can be used to determine the
coefficient, L2 . If the inductance is 90% of its
nominal value, L 0, at the maximum DC
current, IDC, then the polynomial equation is;
(6) 0.9 L 0 = L0 + L 2I DC2
Hence the coefficient is given by;
(7) L2 = 0.1L0
IDC2
An accurate and relatively complex model for
an inductor can now be constructed using
data sheet values only, hence no additional
measurements by the user are required.

12. DESIGN EXAMPLE:

SPICE 2G6 EXAMPLE
The following example is a model for a
1800R series 330H inductor (18R 334)
where LO=330H, R DC=0.315, I DC=0.73A,
Q=49 and f O=3.57MHz.
.SUBCKT L18R334 1 2
LO

3 2 POLY 330E -- 6 0 -- 6.19E -- 5

RDC 1 3 0.315
CP

1 2 6.02E -- 12

RP

1 2 363K

.ENDS L18R334

13. LIMITATIONS
The above model is now quite sophisticated
for an inductive element, however, there are
still limitations and this should be borne in
mind. The model assumes that there is no
variance of resistance and capacitance with
DC current, at low values of these parameters
this may be adequate as these will tend to be
swamped by the rest of the circuit. The major
limitation is in the lack of temperature
modelling of the inductor, however, this is a
general limitation of SPICE. Some
temperature modelling for the resistor could
be incorporated, however, the heating effect
of the power dissipated in the inductor (I 2R
term) is not modelled.

14. SUMMARY
It is possible to simulate several complex
aspects of inductor operation using only 3
additional passive elements and a simple
polynomial expression. The resulting model
gives accurate inductor simulations in SPICE
over a wide range of operating conditions
with a minimal increase in computation time
(only one extra node is introduced).

15. EMC DESIGN

CONSIDERATIONS
The imminent EC regulations regarding
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) will
effect many aspects of circuit and system
design.
However, there are many considerations that
can be applied generally to reduce both the
emissions from and susceptibility to
electromagnetic interference (EMI).
There are many areas where the use of
inductors in decoupling and filtering
applications will help. However, there may
also be situations where the inductive element
in a switching circuit is the major cause of
EMI. As a manufacturer C&D Technologies
(NCL) is committed to minimising emissions
from its own components and to helping its
customers achieve EMC compatibility by

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specification, internal design or manufacturing process at any time, without
notice. Please check with your supplier or visit our web site to ensure that
you have the current and complete specification for your product before use.
C&D Technologies (NCL) Limited 2000

AN007.1

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correct component choice and design, to this

end we have compiled the following list of
general design considerations.
Reduce high frequency (particularly radio
frequency) loops in supply lines.
De-couple supply lines at local boundaries
(use RCL filters with Q 2).
Use low pass filters on signal lines to
reduce band width to signal minimum.
Keep return and feed loops close on wide
band width signal lines.
Terminate lines carrying HF or RF signals
correctly (this minimises reflection, ringing
and overshoot).
Avoid slit apertures in pcb layout,
particularly in ground planes or near
current paths.
Use common mode chokes between
current carrying and signal lines to
increase coupling and cancel stray fields.
Use discrete components and filters where
possible.
Ensure filtering of cables and over voltage
protection (this is especially true of cabling
that is external to the system, if possible
all external cabling should be isolated at
the equipment boundary).
Isolate individual systems where possible
(especially analogue and digital systems,
on both power supply and signal lines).
If available, use shielding on fast
switching circuits, mains power supply
components and low power circuitr y.
In general, keeping the band width of all
parts of the system to a minimum and
isolating circuits where possible reduces
susceptibility and emissions.

C&D Technologies (NCL), Inc.

8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
NC 27612, USA
Tel: +1 (919) 571-9405
Fax: +1 (919) 571-9262
email: info@us.cdtechno-ncl.com