Self Inductance of

Coils
 INDEX

1)Introduction to Self Inductance

2)Factors Affecting Self Inductance
3)Inductance of a Solenoid
4)Mutual Inductance
5)Self Inductance in AC Circuits
6)Inductive reactance
7)Inductor circuits
8)Applications of inductor circuits
9)Limitations and challenges
10)Conclusion
Introduction to Self Inductance

What is Self Inductance?

Self inductance is the property of a coil or conductor that opposes a
change in the current flowing through it. It is the ability of a coil to
produce an electromotive force (EMF) in itself when the current
flowing through it changes. The unit of self inductance is the henry
(H).

Formula for Self Inductance

To understand inductance, it is important to first understand the
concepts of magnetic fields and flux linkage. A magnetic field is a
region in space where a magnetic force can be detected. Flux linkage
is a measure of the total magnetic field passing through a circuit or
coil. The strength of the magnetic field and the amount of flux
linkage are directly proportional to the current flowing through the
circuit or coil.

Definition and Formula

Self inductance is the property of a coil that opposes a change in
current flowing through it. It is denoted by the symbol L and its unit
is Henry (H).
The formula for self inductance is given by L = Φ / I, where Φ is the
magnetic flux linkage and I is the current flowing through the coil.
The SI unit of magnetic flux is Weber (Wb) and the unit of current is
Ampere (A). Therefore, the unit of self inductance is Henry (H), which
is equivalent to Weber per Ampere (Wb/A).
 Factors Affecting Self Inductance

Number of Turns
The number of turns in a coil is
directly proportional to its self-
inductance. As the number of turns
increases, the magnetic field
produced by the current flowing
through the coil also increases,
resulting in a higher inductance

Core Material
The type of core material used in a
coil affects its self-inductance. A
core made of a magnetic material
such as iron or ferrite increases the
magnetic field and flux density,
resulting in a higher inductance.
Conversely, a non-magnetic core
material such as air or plastic
decreases the magnetic field and
flux density, resulting in a lower
inductance.
Cross-Sectional Area
The cross-sectional area of a coil is
directly proportional to its self-
inductance. A larger cross-
sectional area of the coil allows
for more magnetic flux to pass
through the coil, resulting in a
higher inductance

Length of Coil
The length of a coil is inversely
proportional to its self-inductance.
A longer coil results in a longer
path for the magnetic field to
travel, which reduces the
inductance. Conversely, a shorter
coil results in a shorter path for the
magnetic field to travel, which
increases the inductance.
 Inductance of a Solenoid

A solenoid is a type of electromagnet that consists of a wire coil

wrapped around a cylindrical core. The inductance of a solenoid is
determined by the number of turns in the coil, the cross-sectional
area of the coil, and the length of the coil.

Calculating Inductance of a Solenoid

The formula for calculating the inductance of a solenoid is:

L = (μ * n^2 * A)/l
Where L is the inductance in henries, μ is the permeability of the
core material, n is the number of turns in the coil, A is the cross-
sectional area of the coil, and l is the length of the coil.
 Mutual Inductance

Definition and Formula

Mutual inductance is the ability of one coil to induce a voltage in
another coil. It is denoted by the symbol M and is measured in
henries (H). The formula for mutual inductance is M = N2Φ21 / I1,
where N2 is the number of turns in the second coil, Φ21 is the
magnetic flux linking the second coil due to current in the first coil,
and I1 is the current in the first coil.

Factors Affecting Mutual Inductance

The mutual inductance between two coils is affected by several
factors, such as the number of turns, the distance between the coils,
the shape and size of the coils, and the permeability of the core
material.
Applications of Mutual Inductance
Mutual inductance is used in a variety of applications, such as
transformers, motors, generators, and wireless power transfer. It is
also used in communication systems, such as radio and television
broadcasting, where it is used to transmit signals wirelessly over long
distances.
 Self Inductance in AC Circuits
Self inductance is a phenomenon that occurs in electrical circuits
when a changing current in a coil induces an electromotive force
(EMF) in the same coil. In AC circuits, the current is constantly
changing direction, which causes the EMF to also change direction.
This can lead to some interesting effects.

Inductive Reactance
In AC circuits, the self inductance
of a coil can create an opposition
to the flow of current, known as
inductive reactance. This
opposition is proportional to the
frequency of the AC signal and
the inductance of the coil. The
formula for inductive reactance
is Xl = 2πfL, where Xl is the
inductive reactance, f is the
frequency of the AC signal, and L
is the inductance of the coil.

Impedance in AC Circuits
The opposition to the flow of current created by inductive reactance
is part of the total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit, known
as impedance. Impedance is a combination of resistance,
capacitance, and inductance. The formula for impedance is Z =
sqrt(R^2 + (Xl - Xc)^2), where Z is the impedance, R is the resistance,
Xl is the inductive reactance, and Xc is the capacitive reactance.
Capacitive reactance is the opposition to current flow created by a
capacitor in an AC circuit.

Inductor Circuits
Inductors are often used in AC
circuits to filter out certain
frequencies or to create phase
shifts. They can be used in series
or parallel with other
components, such as resistors
and capacitors, to create
different types of circuits. Series
inductor circuits have a higher
total inductance, while parallel
inductor circuits have a lower
total inductance.

RL Circuits
RL circuits are circuits that
contain both resistors and
inductors. These circuits can
exhibit interesting behavior,
such as overshoot and ringing,
when the input signal changes
rapidly. RL circuits can also be
used to create delay lines or
filters.
 Self Inductance in DC Circuits

Definition and Formula Factors Affecting Self Measuring Self

Inductance Inductance

Self inductance is the The self inductance of a Self inductance can be

property of a coil or circuit coil is affected by its size, measured using an LCR
element that opposes any shape, number of turns, meter or by using a
change in current flowing and the material used for circuit that includes a
through it. The formula for the core. A larger coil known capacitor and a
self inductance is L = NΦ / with more turns will have resistor to measure the
a higher inductance, resonant frequency of
I, where L is the
while a coil with a the circuit. The
inductance in henries, N is
magnetic core made of a inductance can then be
the number of turns in the material with high calculated using the
coil, Φ is the magnetic flux magnetic permeability formula L = 1 / (Cω^2),
through the coil, and I is will also have a higher where C is the
the current flowing inductance. capacitance and ω is the
through the coil. resonant frequency in
radians per second.
Applications of Self Inductance
Self inductance is used in a variety of applications, including
inductors for filtering and smoothing power supplies, transformers
for stepping up or stepping down voltage, and inductive sensors for
detecting the presence or absence of metallic objects.

Measuring Self Inductance

Inductance Measurement Techniques

The most common method for measuring self inductance is by using
an LCR meter. This device measures the inductance of a coil by
applying an AC voltage to the coil and measuring the resulting
current. The LCR meter calculates the inductance based on the
voltage and current measurements. Another method is by using an
oscilloscope to measure the voltage across the coil as a function of
time. By analyzing the waveform, the inductance can be calculated.
Factors Affecting Measurement Accuracy
The accuracy of inductance measurement can be affected by several
factors, including the frequency of the AC voltage, the quality of the
coil, and the presence of nearby magnetic fields. It is important to
choose the appropriate measurement technique and ensure that the
measurement environment is free from interference.

Applications of Self Inductance

Self inductance has various applications in electrical circuits. Some of
them are:
Filter Circuits: Inductors are commonly used in filter circuits to
remove unwanted frequencies from a signal.
Power Supplies: Inductors are used in power supplies to store energy
and smooth out voltage fluctuations.
Transformers: Transformers use mutual inductance to transfer energy
between circuits and change voltage levels.
 Inductive Reactance
Inductive reactance is the opposition of an
inductor to the flow of alternating current (AC).
It is measured in ohms and is dependent on the
frequency of the AC and the inductance of the
coil. The formula for inductive reactance is Xl =
2πfL, where Xl is the inductive reactance in
ohms, f is the frequency in hertz, and L is the
inductance in henrys.

 Inductive reactance increases with

increasing frequency.
 Inductive reactance decreases with
decreasing inductance.

Impedance in AC Circuits

In an AC circuit, the total opposition to current

flow is called impedance and is represented by
the symbol Z. Impedance is a combination of
resistance, capacitance, and inductance. The
formula for impedance is Z = √(R² + (Xl - Xc)²),
where R is the resistance in ohms, Xl is the
inductive reactance in ohms, and Xc is the
capacitive reactance in ohms.

Inductor Circuits

Inductors are used in various circuits for

different purposes. In series inductor circuits,
the inductors are connected end to end, and the
total inductance is the sum of individual
inductances. In parallel inductor circuits, the
inductors are connected side by side, and the
total inductance is less than the smallest
individual inductance. RL circuits are circuits
that contain both resistors and inductors. RLC
circuits are circuits that contain resistors,
inductors, and capacitors.

 Inductors are used in power supplies to

smooth out voltage fluctuations.
 Inductors are used in filters to block
certain frequencies of AC signals.
 Inductor Circuits

Series Inductor Parallel Inductor RL Circuits RLC Circuits

Circuits Circuits
An RL circuit is a An RLC circuit is a
In a series inductor In a parallel inductor type of circuit that type of circuit that
circuit, the inductor circuit, the inductor contains both a contains a resistor,
is connected in series is connected in resistor and an an inductor, and a
with other circuit parallel with other inductor. The capacitor. The
components such as circuit components inductor in the inductor and
resistors and such as resistors and circuit causes the capacitor in the
capacitors. The total capacitors. The total current to lag behind circuit can interact
impedance of the impedance of the the voltage, with each other,
circuit depends on circuit depends on resulting in a phase resulting in a
the frequency of the the frequency of the shift. The total resonant frequency.
input signal and the input signal and the impedance of the The total impedance
inductance value of inductance value of circuit depends on of the circuit
the inductor. the inductor. the frequency of the depends on the
input signal and the frequency of the
values of the resistor input signal and the
and inductor. values of the
resistor, inductor,
and capacitor.
Applications of Inductor Circuits
Inductor circuits have a wide range of applications in electrical
engineering. Some common applications include:
 Power supplies and voltage regulators
 Filters for noise reduction in audio circuits
 Tuning circuits for radio and television receivers
 Magnetic storage devices such as hard drives and tape drives

Limitations and Challenges

While inductor circuits have many useful applications, they also have
some limitations and challenges. These include:
 Inductors can be bulky and expensive compared to other circuit
components
 Inductors can generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that
can interfere with other nearby circuits
 Inductors can saturate at high current levels, which can cause
distortion in the signal

Series Inductor Circuits

A series inductor circuit is a circuit in which the inductors are
connected in series with each other. The total inductance of the
circuit is the sum of the individual inductances. The current flowing
through all the inductors is the same and the voltage across each
inductor depends on its inductance.
Calculating Total Inductance
The total inductance of a series inductor circuit can be calculated
using the following formula:
where L is the total inductance of the circuit and L1, L2, L3, ..., Ln are
the individual inductances of the inductors in the circuit.

Impedance in Series Inductor Circuits

The impedance of a series inductor circuit can be calculated using the
following formula:
where Z is the impedance, j is the imaginary unit, ω is the angular
frequency, and L is the inductance of the circuit.

Series Inductor Circuit Example

Consider a series inductor circuit with two inductors, L1 = 10 mH and
L2 = 20 mH, connected in series with a voltage source of 12 V and a
frequency of 50 Hz. The total inductance of the circuit can be
calculated as follows:
The impedance of the circuit can be calculated as follows:
Therefore, the impedance of the circuit is approximately j9.42 Ω.


 Parallel Inductor Circuits
In a parallel inductor circuit, the inductors are connected in parallel
to each other, and the total inductance of the circuit is less than the
smallest inductance of any individual inductor.
 The total inductance of a parallel inductor circuit is given by the
formula 1/Lt = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + ... + 1/Ln, where Lt is the total
inductance and L1, L2, ..., Ln are the inductances of the
individual inductors.

 In a parallel inductor circuit, the current through each inductor

is inversely proportional to its inductance. This means that the
inductor with the smallest inductance will have the largest
current, and the inductor with the largest inductance will have
the smallest current.
 Applications of Inductor Circuits

Filters
Inductors can be used in conjunction with capacitors to create filters
that pass or block certain frequencies. For example, a low-pass filter
can be created by placing a capacitor in series with the load and an
inductor in parallel with the load.

Oscillators
Inductors can also be used in oscillator circuits to generate signals at
specific frequencies. For example, a LC oscillator circuit uses a
capacitor and an inductor in parallel to create a resonant circuit that
oscillates at a specific frequency.

Transformers
Inductors can also be used in transformers to transfer energy from
one circuit to another. A transformer consists of two coils of wire
wrapped around a common magnetic core. When an AC voltage is
applied to one coil, it induces a voltage in the other coil.
 Limitations and Challenges

Limitations
While self inductance is a useful property of electrical circuits, it is
not without its limitations. One major limitation is that self
inductance can cause voltage spikes when the current through an
inductor is suddenly changed. This can damage electronic
components and cause circuit malfunction. Additionally, self
inductance can cause power loss and circuit inefficiencies,
particularly in high-frequency circuits.

Challenges
Designing and implementing circuits with self inductance can also
present challenges. It can be difficult to accurately calculate and
measure self inductance, particularly in complex circuits. Additionally,
self inductance can interact with other circuit components, such as
capacitors and resistors, leading to unexpected behaviour and circuit
instability. Overcoming these challenges requires careful circuit
design and testing, as well as a thorough understanding of the
properties and behaviour of self inductance.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, self inductance is an important
concept in electrical circuits, particularly in AC
circuits. It is defined as the property of a coil
to generate an electromotive force in itself
when the current flowing through it changes.
The formula for self inductance takes into
account the number of turns in the coil, the
area of the coil, and the permeability of the
medium surrounding the coil. Factors
affecting self inductance include the geometry
of the coil, the material of the coil, and the
presence of nearby conductors. Self
inductance has a number of important
applications in electrical circuits, including
inductive reactance, impedance in AC circuits,
and inductor circuits. Inductor circuits can be
used for a variety of purposes, such as
filtering, tuning, and power supply regulation.
However, there are also limitations and
challenges associated with self inductance,
such as the risk of magnetic interference and
the potential for energy loss in the form of
heat. Overall, a thorough understanding of
self inductance and its applications can be
valuable for engineers and technicians
working in the field of electrical engineering.
By carefully considering the factors that affect
self inductance and the various circuit
configurations that can be created using
inductors, it is possible to design more
efficient and effective electrical systems.