1. What is an Inductance Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the inductance of a coil based on its physical characteristics and core material properties.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, students, and hobbyists design inductors for circuits and electronic applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( L \) — Inductance (henrys)
• \( \mu \) — Permeability of the core material (H/m)
• \( N \) — Number of turns in the coil
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of the coil (m²)
• \( l \) — Length of the coil (m)

Explanation: The inductance increases with more turns, larger cross-section, higher permeability, and shorter coil length.

3. Importance of Inductance Calculation

Details: Accurate inductance calculation is crucial for designing filters, transformers, and energy storage circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the permeability (default 1.256×10⁻⁶ H/m for air core), number of turns, cross-sectional area, and coil length. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is permeability?
A: Permeability measures how easily a magnetic field can form in a material. Air has μ≈1.256×10⁻⁶ H/m, while iron cores have much higher values.

Q2: Why does N appear squared in the formula?
A: The magnetic field strength increases with each turn, and the flux linkage is proportional to the square of the number of turns.

Q3: How do I measure the cross-sectional area?
A: For circular coils, use A = πr² where r is the radius. For other shapes, use the appropriate area formula.

Q4: What's a typical inductance range?
A: Small signal inductors range from nanohenries (nH) to millihenries (mH), while power inductors can reach several henrys.

Q5: Does this formula work for all coil shapes?
A: This is the basic solenoid formula. Special formulas exist for toroids, multilayer coils, and other geometries.