Inductors Explained - The basics how inductors work working principle

The Engineering Mindset
10 Sept 201910:20
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Paul from TheEngineeringMindset.com explores the world of inductors, elucidating their function, applications, and significance in electrical circuits. He uses an analogy of water flowing through pipes to explain how inductors store and release energy through their magnetic fields, demonstrating their resistance to rapid changes in current. The video delves into the mechanics of inductors, their role in various electronic devices, and how inductance is measured in Henrys. With practical examples and clear explanations, Paul highlights the importance of inductors in boosting voltage, filtering frequencies, and their presence in transformers, motors, and relays.

Takeaways
  • 🌀 An inductor is an electrical component that stores energy in its magnetic field and can release it almost instantly.
  • ⚡️ Induction involves the ability to store and quickly release energy, which is crucial in various circuit applications.
  • 💡 The working principle of an inductor can be likened to water flowing through pipes, where a water wheel represents the inductive behavior.
  • 🔋 The energy storage in an inductor is due to the magnetic field generated when current flows through a wire, which intensifies with increased current.
  • 🔄 Inductors resist changes in current; they oppose increases with a back EMF and try to maintain constant current when it decreases.
  • 💡 The inductor's behavior can be visually observed using an oscilloscope, showing a gradual increase and decrease in current, unlike resistors.
  • 🔧 Inductors are used in boost converters, for choking AC and allowing DC passage, filtering different frequencies, and in transformers, motors, and relays.
  • 📏 Inductance is measured in Henry (H), with higher values indicating greater energy storage capacity and slower magnetic field build-up.
  • 🛠️ Accurate measurement of inductance requires an RLC meter, as standard multimeters may not provide precise results.
  • 🔍 Inductors on circuit boards often appear as copper wire wrapped around a cylinder or ring and can be shielded to prevent magnetic interference.
  • 🔗 In engineering drawings, inductors are represented by specific symbols, and other coiled wire components like motors and transformers act as inductors.
Q & A

  • What is an inductor and how does it function in an electrical circuit?

    -An inductor is a component in an electrical circuit that stores energy in its magnetic field. It resists changes in the current flow, attempting to maintain a constant current. When current increases, the inductor generates a back electromotive force (EMF) to oppose the change. Conversely, when the current decreases, the collapsing magnetic field converts back into electrical energy, pushing electrons to stabilize the current flow.

  • How does the analogy of water flowing through pipes help explain the working of an inductor?

    -The analogy compares the inductor to a water wheel in a pipe system. Initially, the water wheel (inductor) resists the flow of water (current) due to its inertia and mass. As more water flows, the wheel gains speed and offers less resistance. When the water flow is stopped, the wheel, due to its inertia, continues to rotate and move water, similar to how an inductor continues to allow current flow even after the power is disconnected.

  • What is the significance of inductors in electronic circuits?

    -Inductors are significant in electronic circuits due to their ability to store and quickly release energy. They are used in various applications such as boost converters to increase DC output voltage, choking AC supply to allow only DC passage, filtering to separate different frequencies, and in components like transformers, motors, and relays.

  • How does the physical structure of an inductor contribute to its function?

    -An inductor typically consists of a coil of wire wrapped around a cylinder or a ring. This coil structure generates a magnetic field when current passes through it, which is essential for the inductor's energy storage and release mechanism. Some inductors have a casing to shield the magnetic field from interfering with other components.

  • What is the unit of measurement for inductance and how is it measured?

    -Inductance is measured in the unit of Henry, symbolized by 'H'. The larger the inductance value, the more energy the inductor can store. Measuring inductance accurately requires an RLC meter, as standard multimeters may not provide the most accurate results.

  • What is the relationship between the inductor's inductance and the time it takes to build the magnetic field and overcome back EMF?

    -The inductance of an inductor is directly related to the time it takes to build the magnetic field and the duration for the back EMF to overcome the opposing force. Higher inductance means more energy can be stored, which implies a longer time for the magnetic field to build and for the back EMF to dissipate.

  • How does the direction of the current affect the magnetic field generated by a wire?

    -The direction of the current determines the direction of the magnetic field around the wire. When the current is reversed, the magnetic field also reverses. This can be visualized by placing compasses around the wire, which will align with the magnetic field direction.

  • What happens when an inductor is connected in parallel with a resistive load like a lamp?

    -When an inductor is connected in parallel with a resistive load, initially, more current flows through the resistive load due to the inductor's high resistance. As the current increases and the inductor's resistance decreases, the current prefers the path through the inductor, causing the resistive load to receive less current and eventually turn off. When the power is disconnected, the inductor continues to push current through the circuit, maintaining the lamp's illumination until the energy is dissipated.

  • How can we visually observe the effects of inductors on current flow?

    -By connecting an inductor to an oscilloscope, we can visually observe the effects on current flow. When current is passed through an inductor, it does not instantly rise like it does with a resistor. Instead, it gradually increases, forming a curved profile, and then continues at a flat rate. When the current is stopped, it does not instantly drop to zero but instead follows a curved profile down to zero, showing the inductor's resistance to changes in current flow.

  • What are some common symbols used to represent inductors on engineering drawings?

    -Inductors are typically represented by symbols that include coiled wires on engineering drawings. These symbols vary but generally depict the inductor's function and properties.

  • Why do inductors oppose changes in current and how does this property benefit circuit design?

    -Inductors oppose changes in current because they prefer a steady, constant current flow. This property is beneficial in circuit design as it helps in smoothing out current flow, filtering signals, and maintaining stable operation in the presence of electrical noise or sudden changes in voltage or current.

Outlines
00:00
🌟 Introduction to Inductors and their Importance

The paragraph introduces the topic of inductors, emphasizing their role in electrical circuits by storing energy in their magnetic fields. It highlights the importance of being qualified for electrical work due to the dangers of electricity. An inductor is defined as a component that can store and quickly release energy, which is crucial in various circuit applications. The analogy of water flowing through pipes with a pump, reducer, and water wheel is used to explain the function of an inductor, drawing parallels between the water wheel's inertia and the inductor's ability to maintain current flow. The paragraph also references the previous video on capacitors and suggests watching it for further understanding.

05:01
🔋 Understanding Inductor Function and Behavior

This paragraph delves into the working principle of inductors. It uses the analogy of a water wheel and a pump to illustrate how inductors resist changes in current flow. The inductor's opposition to current changes is explained through the concept of back electromotive force (EMF), which acts against the change in current. The paragraph also describes the visual representation of magnetic fields around a wire and the effect of coiling the wire to create a stronger magnetic field. The behavior of inductors in response to increasing and decreasing current is detailed, along with the explanation of how inductors can stabilize current flow by releasing stored energy.

10:01
📏 Measuring Inductance and Applications of Inductors

The final paragraph discusses how inductance is measured in Henrys and how higher inductance values indicate greater energy storage capacity and a longer time for the magnetic field to build. It explains that standard multimeters are not ideal for measuring inductance accurately and suggests using an RLC meter for precise measurements. The paragraph also lists various applications of inductors, such as in boost converters, choking AC suppliers, filtering frequencies, and in components like transformers, motors, and relays. The video concludes with a prompt to continue learning by watching other educational videos and following the channel on social media platforms.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡inductor
An inductor is an electrical component that stores energy in its magnetic field, which it can release almost instantaneously. It is crucial in various circuits due to its ability to store and quickly release energy. In the video, the analogy of a water wheel is used to explain the functioning of an inductor, where the water flow represents the flow of electrons, and the wheel's resistance and inertia mimic the inductor's behavior in a circuit.
💡electrical circuit
An electrical circuit is a path or interconnected network of electrical components through which an electric current can pass. The video discusses how inductors play a significant role in these circuits by storing energy and affecting the flow of current. The circuits are essential in numerous applications, and understanding their components, like inductors, is vital for their proper design and function.
💡magnetic field
A magnetic field is a vector field that describes the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, and magnetic materials. In the context of the video, the magnetic field is generated by the flow of electric current through a wire or coil, which is the basis for the operation of an inductor. The video explains how the magnetic field stores energy and how changes in the current affect this field, which in turn influences the behavior of the inductor in a circuit.
💡energy storage
Energy storage refers to the process of accumulating energy produced at one time, so it can be used at another time. The video highlights that inductors are capable of storing energy in their magnetic fields, which can then be released when needed. This property is essential for applications that require a stable or controlled flow of energy, such as in power electronics and signal processing.
💡back EMF
Back electromotive force (back EMF) is the induced voltage that opposes a change in the current in a circuit. In the video, back EMF is described as the opposing force generated by the inductor when there is a change in the current. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding how inductors resist changes in current flow and contribute to the stability of electrical circuits.
💡resistance
Resistance is the opposition that a material offers to the flow of electric current. In the video, resistance is used to describe the initial high resistance offered by the inductor when current begins to flow through it. As the magnetic field builds up, the resistance decreases, allowing more current to flow. The concept of resistance is essential for understanding the behavior of inductors and their interaction with other components in a circuit.
💡capacitor
A capacitor is an electrical component that stores and releases electrical energy in an electric field. The video mentions capacitors in the context of comparing their function to that of inductors. While capacitors store energy in an electric field, inductors store energy in a magnetic field. Understanding the differences and similarities between these two components is crucial for the design and analysis of electronic circuits.
💡choking effect
The choking effect, as discussed in the video, refers to the ability of an inductor to restrict the flow of alternating current (AC) while allowing direct current (DC) to pass more easily. This property is utilized in various applications, such as in power supplies, where the inductor acts as a filter to separate AC and DC components in the electrical signal.
💡filtering
Filtering in electronics involves selectively allowing certain frequencies to pass through while blocking or reducing others. The video explains that inductors are used for filtering purposes, separating different frequencies in a signal. This is important in many electronic devices to ensure that only the desired frequencies reach certain components, thereby improving the performance and functionality of the device.
💡inductance
Inductance is the measure of an inductor's ability to store energy in a magnetic field in response to a change in current. It is measured in henries (H) and is directly related to the strength and size of the inductor's coil. The video emphasizes that higher inductance values indicate a greater capacity for energy storage and a slower response to changes in current, which is crucial for understanding the performance of inductors in various applications.
💡RLC meter
An RLC meter is a specialized instrument used to measure the inductance (L), resistance (R), and capacitance (C) of electronic components. The video mentions that while standard multimeters can provide some measurement of inductance, an RLC meter is required for accurate results. Accurate measurement of these properties is essential for the proper design and troubleshooting of electronic circuits.
Highlights

An inductor is a component in an electrical circuit that stores energy in its magnetic field.

Inductors can release stored energy almost instantly.

Electricity is dangerous and one should be qualified and competent to carry out electrical work.

The water wheel analogy is used to explain the working of an inductor.

An inductor behaves like resistance in an electrical circuit, similar to a reducer in a pipe.

When the pump (battery) is first started, water (electrons) prefer the path of the reducer (resistor) due to the inductor's initial high resistance.

As the water wheel (inductor) gains speed, it offers less resistance and allows more water (electrons) to flow.

When the pump (battery) is turned off, the momentum of the water wheel (inductor's inertia) keeps it moving and pushing water (electrons) around.

An inductor connected in parallel with a resistive load, like a lamp, can maintain the flow of electrons for a short duration when the power is interrupted.

The magnetic field generated around a wire by an electric current is the basis for the inductor's function.

The more current passed through the wire, the larger the magnetic field and the more energy is stored.

Inductors oppose changes in current; they generate a back EMF (electromotive force) when the current increases or decreases.

The back EMF fades away as the magnetic field increases and the current stabilizes.

Inductors in circuit boards typically appear as copper wire wrapped around a cylinder or a ring.

Inductors can be used in boost converters, to choke an AC supplier, filter different frequencies, and in transformers, motors, and relays.

Inductance is measured in Henry and indicates the amount of energy that can be stored and the speed at which the magnetic field builds.

An RLC meter is used for accurate measurement of inductance, as a standard multimeter may not provide the most accurate results.

Everything with a coiled wire will act as an inductor, including motors, transformers, and relays.

Transcripts

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