- Inductors opposite sudden current changes
- After connecting, huge back EMF creates voltage in the opposite direction until the inductor is reaches it's steady state
- After it reaches it steady state, it behaves like a short circuit
- When current decreases, the collapsing magnetic field induced voltage that aids the current direction - trying to keep current flowing
- Induced voltage acts as a mini power source
$
E=\frac{1}{2}LI^2
$
Magnitude of induces EMF is related to the rate of change of current through it
$
V=L \frac{di}{dt}
$
Inductance L measures how effectively an inductor can store energy in its magnetic field and oppose changes in current, measured in Henry (H). An inductor has an inductance of 1 Henry if an EMF of 1 volt is induced when the current through it changes at a rate of 1A per second.
Typical inductors have values from $1 \micro H$ (high-frequency circuits) to $20 H$ (power and filter applications).
Calculations for inductors in series/parallel behave like resistors (non-examinable)
KVL (for $r\geq 0$)
$
V=L\frac{di}{dt}+iR
$
When the switch is first closed, the supply voltage appears entirely across the coil. However the current cannot rise instantly due to back EMF:
$
e_{L}=-L \frac{di}{dt}
$
The negative sign shows that the induced EMF opposes the change in current.
Time constant of an LR circuit defines how quickly the current builds up or decays. Given by:
$
\tau = \frac{L}{R} \text{ seconds}
$
**Back EMF across inductor**
$
V_{L}=V e^{-Rt/L} =Ve^{-t/\tau}
$
**Growth of voltage across resistor**
$
V_{R}=V(1-e^{-Rt/L})=V(1-e^{-t/\tau})
$
**Growth of current though the circuit**
$
i=I(1-e^{-Rt/L})=I(1-e^{-t/\tau})
$