It is often
that they dwarf all other electronic components which are used in a circuit. In
addition, they also add a lot of weight. Some techniques have been developed
and implemented for stimulating a large inductor in a circuit; however the
added components and complexity limit the use of these techniques.
Despite the
fact that there are several challenges which come along with the use of
inductors, they are an essential component in several applications.
Sensors
Contactless
sensors are valued for their ease of operation and reliability and inductors can
be used for sensing magnetic field or to sense the presence of magnetically
permeable material even from a distance.
Inductive sensors
are used in almost all intersections with a traffic light for detecting the
amount of traffic and then adjusting the signal accordingly. Sensors work
really well for trucks and cars, however some motorcycles and other vehicles
lack the amount of signature required for detecting the sensors without any
additional boost by making addition of h3 magnet to the bottom of the vehicle.
There are
two ways in which inductive sensors are limited – either the sensor should be
powered enough for detecting the presence of materials that relate with a
magnetic field or the object which has to be sensed must be magnetic in nature
and induce a current in the sensor. This, in turn, restricts the applications
of inductive sensors. Also, it leaves a major impact on the designs that make
use of them.
Inductive
sensors are limited in two major ways, either the object to be sensed must be
magnetic and induce a current in the sensor or the sensor must be powered to
detect the presence of materials that interact with a magnetic field. This
limits the applications of inductive sensors and has a major impact on designs
that use them.
Filters
These are
used extensively with resistors and capacitors for creating filters for analog
circuits and in signal processing. When used alone, it functions as a low-pass
filter because the impedance of an inductor increases as and when the frequency
of a signal increases. When used with a capacitor, whose impedance decreases as
the frequency of a signal increases, it becomes possible to make notched filter
which only lets a particular frequency range to pass through. By making the combination of resistors,
capacitors and inductors, several advanced filter topologies can be created for
any number of applications. Filters are used in several electronics, even
though capacitors are often used instead of inductors when possible because of
their smaller size and pocket-friendly cost.
Motors
Usually,
inductors are in a fixed position and are not allowed to move to align
themselves with any magnetic field located in close proximity.
Inductive
motor influence the magnetic force applied to inductors for turning electrical
energy into mechanical energy. Such motors are designed in such a way that
rotating magnetic field is created in time along with an AC input. Since the rotation of speed is controlled by
the input frequency, these motors are used in fixed speed applications that are
powered directly from 5-/60 hz mains power.
Transformers
Combination
of inductors that share a magnetic path forms a transformer. The transformers
refer to a fundamental component of national electrical grids and are also
found in several power supplies for decreasing or increasing voltages to a
desired level. Given that magnetic
fields are created by change in current, the faster the frequency of current,
the more effectively a transformer operates. Of course, as the frequency of the
current increases, the impedance of the inductor starts limiting the
effectiveness of a transformer. Practically, inductance based transformers are
restricted to the 10s of kHz, usually much lower. The advantage of a higher operating frequency
is smaller a well as lighter weight transformer can be used for delivering
similar load.