1. What is Resistance of an Inductor?

Definition: This calculator determines the DC resistance of an inductor's wire based on its material properties and physical dimensions.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers and hobbyists estimate the resistive losses in an inductor's winding.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Resistance (ohms)
• \( \rho \) — Resistivity of the wire material (ohm-meters)
• \( l \) — Length of the wire (meters)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of the wire (square meters)

Explanation: The resistance increases with longer wire length and decreases with larger wire cross-section.

3. Importance of Inductor Resistance Calculation

Details: Knowing the DC resistance helps in designing efficient inductors with minimal power loss and heat generation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter resistivity (1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m for copper, 2.65×10⁻⁸ Ω·m for aluminum)
• Measure wire length (including all turns in the coil)
• Calculate cross-sectional area (πr² for round wire)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this calculate AC or DC resistance?
A: This calculates DC resistance. AC resistance would be higher due to skin effect at high frequencies.

Q2: How do I find wire length in a coil?
A: Multiply number of turns by average circumference of each turn.

Q3: What's typical resistivity for common materials?
A: Copper: 1.68×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Aluminum: 2.65×10⁻⁸ Ω·m, Silver: 1.59×10⁻⁸ Ω·m

Q4: Does temperature affect the result?
A: Yes, resistivity increases with temperature. The calculator uses room temperature values.

Q5: How does wire gauge relate to cross-sectional area?
A: Higher AWG numbers mean smaller diameters. Use a wire gauge table to find exact dimensions.