Inductors in parallel. Two inductors L1 = 1.31 H and L2 = 2.24 H are connected in parallel and separated by a large distance so that the magnetic field of one cannot affect the other. (a) Calculate the equivalent inductance. (Hint: Review the derivations for resistors in parallel and capacitors in parallel. Which is similar here?) (b) What is the generalization of (a) for N = 10 similar inductors L = 3.22 H in parallel?

a) 0.83H

b) 3.22/N Henry

Explanation:

Given two inductors L1 = 1.31 H and L2 = 2.24 H connected in parallel, their equivalent inductance derivative is similar to that of resistance in parallel.

Derivation:

If the voltage across an inductor

VL = IXL

I is the current

XL is the inductive reactance

XL = 2πfL

VL = I (2πfL)

L is the inductance.

From the formula, I = V/2πfL

Given two inductors in parallel, different current will flow through them.

I1 = V/2πfL1 (current in L1)

I2 = V/2πfL2 (current in L2)

Total current I = I1+I2

I = V/2πfL1 + V/2πfL2

I = V/2πf{1/L1+1/L2}

V/2πfL = V/2πf{1/L1+1/L2}

1/L = 1/L1+1/L2 (equivalent inductance in parallel)

Given L1 = 1.31 H and L2 = 2.24

1/L = 1/1.31 + 1/2.24

1/L = 0.763 + 0.446

1/L = 1.209

L = 1/1.209

L = 0.83H

The equivalent inductance is 0.83H

b) Given similar inductors L = 3.22H in parallel, the equivalent inductance will be:

1/L = 1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22

+1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22+1/3.22

1/L = 10/3.22 (since that all have the same denominator)

L = 3.22/10

If N = 10, the generalization of 10 similar inductors in parallel will be:

L = 3.22/N Henry