No matter whether you are new to this industry or have been in it for a while, buying inductor can be intimidating, particularly when there are too many options and types of inductor available. But worry not as we have gathered some most crucial information that will help you take a decision –from what is inductor, types to capacities of inductors.
So let us get started with first thing first…
What is the inductor, indeed?
An inductor is a device that stores magnetic energy called inductance, and in fact, the value of an inductor is entitled as Inductance. The value is measured ‘henries’ which is the SI unit of inductance. Inductors act as a chief electrical device where current and voltage changes with time. The variations in the inductor will occur and depend on factors such as the number of ‘loops’ build in the coil, the size of the ‘loops’ or what material is used to fabricate the coil and its core.
Broadly, inductors grouped into categories – ideal inductors & real inductors where Ideal inductors have inductance but it is not a resistor or capacitor. It does not emanate electric energy.
Real inductors is an amalgamation of elements in an electrical device and can afford resistance due to their wire which has inbuilt capacity to resist. They can also store and then dissipate the electric energy.
Based on that broader category, the inductors are further divided into following types:
- Air Core Inductors– These do not use a magnetic core, and the coil is winded with non-magnetic outline. There is air inside the windings.
- Radio Frequency Inductor
- Ferromagnetic Core Inductor
- Laminated Core Inductor
Inductors have been use for many years, and over the time, they have become more sophisticated. Inductors, today, come with high-end features that have made processing communication signals much easier and more accurate, and faster.
Take for example air core inductor which does not use a magnetic core. It is core is filled with air or some certain gases. And the coils used are winded on a plastic or ceramic wind rail. So with air core inductors:
- Inductance is lower than that of ferromagnetic core coils
- No energy loss so can be used at high frequency
- But core losses happen in ferromagnetic cores, and this may increase with frequency.
So whether you are looking for air core inductor or any other type, choose the one based on your needs. But make sure you buy high-quality air core inductors if this is your choice from a reputed supplier like TEE, a leading name in electric energy equipment in the USA.