Inductance and You
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Still scratching your head about high inductance? Lets tackle some common questions.
Q: Can high inductance ever be a good thing?
A: Absolutely! High inductance is desirable in applications like energy storage (think inductors in power supplies) and filtering (chokes that block high-frequency noise). Its all about context. When its unintentionally high, thats when the trouble starts.
Q: How do I measure inductance?
A: Youll need an LCR meter, a handy device that measures inductance (L), capacitance (C), and resistance (R). These meters apply a test signal to the component and measure the resulting impedance to determine the inductance value. You can find relatively inexpensive ones online or at your local electronics store.
Q: What's the difference between inductance and resistance?
A: Resistance opposes current flow directly, converting electrical energy into heat. Inductance, on the other hand, opposes changes in current flow by storing energy in a magnetic field. So, resistance is like friction, while inductance is like inertia.
Q: Does wire length affect inductance?
A: Yes, longer wires generally have higher inductance, especially if they are coiled. The geometry and material of the conductor significantly influence the inductance. This is why component leads are kept short in high-frequency circuits, and parasitic inductance can cause unexpected behavior.