upgrade

🔌intro to electrical engineering review

Series Inductor

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

A series inductor is an electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electrical current flows through it, and is connected in series with other components in a circuit. This configuration influences the overall inductance, total impedance, and voltage across the components, which plays a critical role in how circuits behave under alternating current (AC) conditions and affects the performance of inductive devices in various applications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. When inductors are connected in series, their total inductance is the sum of their individual inductances, expressed as $$L_{total} = L_1 + L_2 + L_3 + ...$$.
  2. In a series circuit containing inductors, the same current flows through each inductor, which results in a cumulative effect on the circuit's behavior.
  3. Inductors in series can cause phase shifts between voltage and current due to their reactive nature, affecting the power factor of the circuit.
  4. The voltage across each inductor in a series configuration can vary depending on its inductance value and the current flowing through the circuit.
  5. In AC circuits, series inductors can introduce significant reactance, which impacts the overall impedance and can limit current flow at higher frequencies.

Review Questions

  • How does connecting multiple inductors in series affect their total inductance and the behavior of an electrical circuit?
    • When multiple inductors are connected in series, their total inductance increases because the total inductance is simply the sum of each individual inductor's inductance. This increased total inductance affects how the circuit responds to changes in current, as it increases the overall opposition to current changes. The result is that circuits with higher total inductance will have slower responses to changes in voltage or current, which can be important for timing and filtering applications.
  • Discuss how series inductors impact voltage distribution across components in an electrical circuit.
    • In a series configuration, the voltage drop across each inductor depends on its inductance and the current flowing through it. The voltage across an inductor can be calculated using the formula $$V = L rac{di}{dt}$$, where $$L$$ is the inductance and $$di/dt$$ is the rate of change of current. Consequently, different inductors can have different voltage drops based on their values. This impacts how energy is distributed within the circuit and can lead to varying performance characteristics based on the properties of each individual inductor.
  • Evaluate how series inductors affect the impedance of an AC circuit and its implications for circuit design.
    • In an AC circuit, series inductors contribute reactance to the overall impedance of the circuit. The reactance of an inductor increases with frequency, described by $$X_L = 2\\pi f L$$, where $$f$$ is frequency and $$L$$ is inductance. This means that as frequency increases, the total impedance also rises, limiting current flow. Designers must take this into account when creating circuits that operate at specific frequencies to ensure they function properly without drawing excessive current or causing distortion.