Inductor Applications

Custom inductors have many potential applications, with electronic devices and electrical power systems using them for blocking, choking, attenuating, or filtering/smoothing high-frequency noise. Additionally, some applications use inductors for storing and transmitting power converter energy, either from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) or DC-to-DC applications. Other uses include tuned oscillators or inductor/capacitor (LC) circuits.

Meanwhile, other applications use inductors for impedance matching, an electrical engineering practice that involves modifying or designing a device’s input and output impedance, or its resistance to electrical flow in input and output terminals.

Inductor Types

There are four primary types of inductors you could use based on your unique application needs:

Tape-wound core inductors

Laminated core inductors

Ferrite core inductors

Air core inductors

Tape-wound core inductors

This inductor design comprises a wound magnetic core, enabling the generation of a magnetic field. They offer high permeability, allowing for efficient induction of current.

Laminated core inductors

Another option has a core that consists of stacked thin steel sheets, resulting in minimal energy loss and the ability to more effectively block eddy currents.

Ferrite core inductors

These inductors feature a ferrite core, which allows for high permeability, low eddy current losses, and excellent electrical resistance. Each of these characteristics makes this component a reliable option for high-frequency systems.

Air core inductors

These components have no electromagnetic core. They allow for minimal inductance and permeability, making air core inductors ideal for use in high-frequency applications.

In addition to these common inductor types, other designs can also be utilized, such as axial inductors, shielded surface mount inductors (specifically chosen for PCB applications), and shielded variable inductors. Other options include coupled inductors, multilayer inductors, molded inductors, and ceramic core inductors.

Specification Options for Your Custom Inductor

Custom inductors from Stangenes Industries, Inc. can be constructed to meet a wide range of electrical and mechanical specifications.

Electrical

Our team can provide custom inductors to meet electrical specifications for the following:

Inductance. Specifies the required inductance (i.e. 10 mH ±5% for a DC choke).
Current rating. Defines both the maximum continuous and peak current (e.g., 100A peak current for 1s and 150A continuous current).
Voltage rating. Indicates the inductor’s operating voltage, such as a line reactor with 600V AC.
Frequency range. Dictates operating frequency (e.g., a line reactor with 60 Hz and 20 kHz to switch power supply).
DCR. Signifies the maximum resistance required to reduce loss (ex., DCR < 5 mΩ).
Impedance at frequency. The impedance at a specific frequency (e.g., an EMI filter with an impedance of 500Ω at a frequency of 100 kHz).
Saturation current. Indicates the maximum electrical current before saturation occurs, i.e., a high-powered inverter with 300A.
Harmonic mitigation. Dictates when to reduce harmonics, e.g., a line reactor with 3% impedance for a variable frequency drive (VFD).
Noise suppression. Specifies requirements for RFI and EMI attenuation (ex. 30 dB at 150 kHz, per IEC 61000-6-3).

Mechanical

Certain mechanical specifications should also be considered, such as the cooling method (e.g., a fan applying forced air) and the dimensions of the current transformer and housing.

There are also a range of terminal configurations that you can choose from. These include:

Silicon bronze hardware.
Lexan covers.
Ring-lug.
Terminal strip.
Seismic kit for reinforcing transformers.
Touch-safe.