INDUCTORS AND INDUCTANCES

A closed conducting path carrying current I produces a

magnetic field B which causes a flux

B dS
If the circuit has N identical turns, we define the flux
linkage

N
I
LI

L is a constant called the inductance of the circuit.

 B dS

N
I
LI
N
L
I
I

Define inductance L of an inductor as the ratio of the

magnetic flux linkage to the current I through the
inductor

N
L
I
I

Henry (H) or webers/ampere

Known as self-inductance since the linkages are
produced by the inductor itself
Inductance as a measure of how much magnetic energy
is stored in an inductor

Instead of having a single circuit we have two circuits

carrying current I1 and I2

Four component fluxes 11, 12, 21 and 22 are produced

 12 is the flux passing through circuit 1 due to current I2 in

circuit 2.
B2 in the field due to I2
S1 is the area of circuit 1

12 B 2 dS
S1

the mutual inductance M12 as the ratio of the flux linkage

12 = N1 12 on circuit 1 to current I2

12 N1 12
M12

I2
I2
21 N 2 21
M 21

I1
I1

Henrys

If the medium surrounding the circuits is linear (in the

absence of ferromagnetic material)

M12 M 21

The self-inductance L of a inductor can be determined by

following a procedure
1. Choose a suitable coordinate system.
2. Let the inductor carry current I.
3. Determine B from Biot-Savart's law (or from
Ampere's law if symmetry exists) and calculate

B dS
4. Finally find

N
L
I
I

M xy

xy
Iy

N x xy
Iy