1. What is Voltage Drop Across Inductor?

The voltage drop across an inductor is the potential difference that develops across an inductor when the current through it changes. It is governed by Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction and is proportional to both the inductance and the rate of change of current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental inductor equation:

Where:

• \( V \) — Voltage drop across the inductor (Volts)
• \( L \) — Inductance of the coil (Henries)
• \( \frac{di}{dt} \) — Rate of change of current through the inductor (Amperes per second)

Explanation: This equation shows that the voltage induced in an inductor is directly proportional to both its inductance value and how quickly the current through it is changing.

3. Importance of Voltage Drop Calculation

Details: Calculating voltage drop across inductors is crucial for designing and analyzing electrical circuits, particularly in power electronics, signal processing, and filter design. It helps engineers predict circuit behavior and ensure proper component selection.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the inductance value in Henries and the current change rate in Amperes per second. Both values must be valid positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when current is constant through an inductor?
A: When current is constant (di/dt = 0), the voltage drop across an ideal inductor becomes zero, effectively acting as a short circuit to DC current.

Q2: How does inductance affect voltage drop?
A: Higher inductance values result in greater voltage drops for the same rate of current change, as voltage is directly proportional to inductance.

Q3: What are typical units for di/dt?
A: The rate of current change is typically measured in Amperes per second (A/s), though Amperes per microsecond (A/μs) may be used for very fast switching applications.

Q4: Does this equation apply to AC circuits?
A: Yes, the equation applies to both DC transients and AC steady-state conditions. For sinusoidal AC, it relates to the concept of inductive reactance (X_L = ωL).

Q5: What are practical applications of this calculation?
A: This calculation is essential in designing switching power supplies, motor drives, RF circuits, and any application involving inductive components where current changes rapidly.