INDUCTANCE AND INDUCTIVE REACTANCE AC MACHINE

MODULE 2 INDUCTANCE AND INDUCTIVE

REACTANCE

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, you will;

1. Describe an inductive circuit

2. Describe self-induction and mutual induction
3. Define inductive reactance
4. Demonstrate the relationship between voltage and current in various inductive
circuits.

PROCEDURES: Try to read and understand the following:

INTRODUCTION

A coil of wire is an important part of many pieces of electrical equipment. A magnetic

field is produced when current exists in the coil. As the strength of the magnetic field
changes, an induced electromotive force (EMF) is created across the coil. The induced
voltage opposes the source voltage, as the opposition becomes greater, less current exist in
the circuit.

LENZ’S LAW

According to Lenz’s Law, the induced voltage in a coil always flows in the opposite direction
of the effect that produces it.

SELF INDUCTANCE

When the varying lines of magnetic force induce an EMF in the coil itself, the coil has
self-inductance. (see figure 1)

MUTUAL INDUCTANCE

When the varying lines of magnetic force from a coil induce and EMF in an adjacent
coil, the coils have mutual inductance. (see figure 1)

FIGURE 1 (illustrate self and mutual inductance)

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MEASUREMENT OF INDUCTANCE

The unit of inductance is henry (H). a circuit or coil has an inductance of 1 H when
current varying at the rate of 1 ampere per second induces an EMF of 1 volt across the
terminals of the circuit or coil. The inductance can be varied by varying the amount of
magnetic flux or the number of turns in the coil.

EFFECT OF INDUCTANCE

When the core is out of the coil, few lines of magnetic force are produced by the coil
because air is a poor magnetic conductor. The induced EMF is weak, and little opposition is
offered to the line voltage.

INDUCTIVE REACTANCE

The opposition in coils having inductance can be measured in ohms (Ω). If the
frequency and inductance are known, the opposition, or inductive reactance (XL), can be
calculated.

XL = 2πfL

where: XL = inductive reactance in Ω

π = 3.14
f = frequency in hertz
L = inductance in henry

Example:

Coil A f = 60Hz L = 0.1 H

XL = 2πfL
XL = 2(3.14)(60)(0.1)
XL = 37.7 Ω

Coil B f = 60Hz L = 0.2 H

XL = 2πfL
XL = 2(3.14)(60)(0.2)
XL = 75.4 Ω

Therefore, it can be said that;

Inductive reactance varies directly with

Inductance and frequency.

CURRENT LAG DUE TO INDUCTANCE

Test show that is a coil with negligible resistance is connected to an AC line, the
current lags the voltage by 90 degrees.

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VECTOR REPRESENTATION

The relationship between voltage and current in an inductive circuit is shown more
conveniently by the use of vectors.

FIGURE 2 (Current lagging voltage by 90³)

FINDING CURRENT

The following figures show how current is determined in an AC circuit.

EXAMPLE 1: Find the current

First, find XL

XL = 2πfL
XL = 2(3.14)(60)(0.3)
XL = 113.1Ω

Using Ohm’s Law

I = E / XL
I = 120 / 113.1
I = 1.06 A

EXAMPLE 2: What is the value of inductance?

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XL = E / I
XL = 140 / 0.7
XL = 200Ω

XL = 2πfL
L = XL / 2πf
L = 200 / 2(3.14)(60)
L = 0.53 H

SUMMARY

Inductance is the property of a coil of wire. The frequency of current passing through
the coil helps to determine the inductive reactance of that coil. Inductive reactance is similar
to resistance in a circuit because it opposes the flow of current. In a circuit containing only
inductance, the current will lag behind the voltage by 90³, as seen in the waveform.

ADDITIONAL READINGS

Websites: 1. https://bit.ly/3hkl7dr

2. https://bit.ly/2UBVAlV

3. https://bit.ly/2B45nKK

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EVALUATION
Name: __________________________________________ Date: _________

Course/Year: _____________________________ Score: ________

In items 1 – 10, select the best answer to make the statement true.

1. Inductance is
a. The same as reactance
b. The property of a coil
c. Magnetic field strength
d. Measures in ohms
e. Dependent on reactance
2. The amount of voltage induced in a transformer secondary coil is a function of
a. Primary direct current
b. Static field
c. Primary self inductance
d. Mutual inductance
e. Secondary current
3. The unit for inductive reactance is the
a. Ohm
b. Henry
c. Hertz
d. Vector
e. Lenz
4. The inductive reactance of an air core coil may be increased by
a. Decreasing frequency
b. Increasing source voltage
c. Inserting and iron core
d. Increasing current
e. Decreasing inductance
5. In a purely inductive circuit (no resistance)
a. Current lags voltage
b. Voltage lags current by 90⁰
c. Current and voltage are in phase
d. Voltage leads current
e. Current lags voltage by 90⁰
6. The inductive reactance of 0.06 H coil connected to a 120V, 60Hz source is (show
your solution)

a. 2.26 Ω
b. 3.60 Ω
c. 7.20 Ω
d. 22.62 Ω
e. 432 Ω
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7. A purely inductive circuit contains a voltage source of 280V at 40Hz. The total
inductive reactance of the circuit is 20Ω. The value of the total current, in amperes is
(show your solution)

a. 0.056
b. 0.08
c. 2.0
d. 7.0
e. 14.0
8. A current of 5 A exist in a purely inductive circuit connected to a 120 V, 60 Hz source.
The total inductive reactance is (show your solution)

a. 0.064 H
b. 12.0 Ω
c. 24.0 Ω
d. 300 H
e. 600 Ω
9. A 0.265 H coil is connected to a 250 V, 60 Hz source. The total circuit current, in
amperes, is (show your solution)

a. 2.5
b. 4.17
c. 100
d. 226
e. 940

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10. A coil with negligible resistance draws 7 A when connected to a 110 V, 25 Hz source.
The inductance of the coil, in henrys is (show your solution)

a. 0.064
b. 0.1
c. 3.57
d. 4.4
e. 15.7
11. Find the total current for the circuit shown

12. If the inductance in problem 11 is changed to 2.0 H, what is the circuit current?

13. Determine the inductance of the coil if the circuit current is 2 amperes.

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14. In problem 13, if the frequency is changed to 200 Hz, find L.

15. What is the circuit frequency if the circuit current is 20 Amperes?

16. Using the circuit in problem 15, change the current to 50 amperes and find the
frequency.

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