1 Answer
The working principle of an inductor is based on electromagnetic induction. It stores energy in the form of a magnetic field when electrical current flows through it. Here's a breakdown of how it works:
In simple terms, an inductor tries to "keep" the current flowing at a steady rate by creating a magnetic field that resists any rapid changes in current.
- Current Flow: When current flows through a coil of wire (the inductor), it generates a magnetic field around the coil. The strength of this magnetic field depends on the amount of current and the number of turns in the coil.
- Opposition to Change in Current: Inductors resist changes in the current flowing through them. If the current through the inductor suddenly increases or decreases, the magnetic field changes. According to Faraday’s Law of Induction, any change in the magnetic field induces a voltage (electromotive force, or EMF) in the opposite direction of the change in current. This is called Lenz’s Law.
- Energy Storage: The energy is stored in the magnetic field created around the inductor. When the current through the inductor increases, energy is stored. When the current decreases, the magnetic field collapses, releasing the energy back into the circuit.
- Inductive Reactance: Inductors oppose changes in current, which makes them behave differently than resistors or capacitors. This opposition is called inductive reactance, and it increases with the frequency of the alternating current (AC). At high frequencies, inductors act as resistors to the current, and at low frequencies, they allow more current to pass.
In simple terms, an inductor tries to "keep" the current flowing at a steady rate by creating a magnetic field that resists any rapid changes in current.