1. What is Inductor Loss Calculation?

Inductor loss calculation involves determining the total power dissipation in an inductor, which consists of two main components: I²R losses (copper losses due to winding resistance) and core losses (hysteresis and eddy current losses in the magnetic core).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inductor loss formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current flowing through the inductor (amps)
• \( R \) — DC resistance of the inductor winding (ohms)
• \( Core\ Losses \) — Power loss in the magnetic core (watts)

Explanation: The I²R term represents the resistive losses in the copper windings, while core losses account for magnetic hysteresis and eddy current losses in the core material.

3. Importance of Inductor Loss Calculation

Details: Accurate inductor loss calculation is crucial for thermal management, efficiency optimization, and reliability assessment in power electronics design. Excessive losses can lead to overheating and component failure.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amps, resistance in ohms, and core losses in watts. All values must be non-negative. For accurate results, use measured or manufacturer-specified resistance and core loss values.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the main components of inductor losses?
A: The two main components are I²R losses (copper losses) in the windings and core losses (hysteresis and eddy current losses) in the magnetic material.

Q2: How do core losses vary with frequency?
A: Core losses generally increase with frequency due to increased hysteresis and eddy current effects. The relationship is complex and depends on the core material.

Q3: What is typical resistance range for inductors?
A: Resistance values vary widely depending on inductor size, construction, and application - from milliohms for power inductors to ohms for small signal inductors.

Q4: How does temperature affect inductor losses?
A: Copper resistance increases with temperature, increasing I²R losses. Core losses may also vary with temperature depending on the material properties.

Q5: When should core losses be considered significant?
A: Core losses become significant at higher frequencies and in applications with AC excitation. For DC applications or low frequencies, core losses may be negligible compared to I²R losses.