1. What is an Inductor Color Code Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the inductance value of an inductor based on its color bands.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers, technicians, and hobbyists quickly identify inductor values without memorizing color codes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( L \) — Inductance in microhenries (μH)
• \( band1 \) — First significant digit (color band 1)
• \( band2 \) — Second significant digit (color band 2)
• \( band3 \) — Multiplier/exponent (color band 3)

Explanation: The first two bands represent digits, while the third band represents the power of ten multiplier.

3. Importance of Inductor Color Codes

Details: Color codes provide a compact way to mark inductor values on small components where printing numbers would be impractical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the color for each band from the dropdown menus. The first two bands are digits (0-9), and the third band is the multiplier (10⁰ to 10⁶).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my inductor has 4 bands?
A: The fourth band typically represents tolerance (not included in this calculator). Gold = ±5%, Silver = ±10%.

Q2: Why do some inductors use different color codes?
A: Some manufacturers use alternative coding systems. Always check the datasheet when available.

Q3: What's the range of values this calculator can handle?
A: From 0.1μH (0-0-Black) up to 990,000μH (9-9-Blue).

Q4: How accurate are color-coded inductors?
A: Typically ±10% or ±20% unless they have a tolerance band indicating higher precision.

Q5: What do I do if my inductor has different colors?
A: Verify you're looking at the bands in the correct order (usually the band nearest the end is band 1).