Stored Energy In A Saturating Inductor Is Not Constant

Focus:

One misconception about magnetic component operation is that the energy stored in an inductor remains constant during saturation. In a previous work, the author derived formulas that allow us to quantify the dependencies of inductance and stored energy on magnetizing current. In this article, he uses those equations to demonstrate that the energy stored in the inductor does not remain constant in saturation. This behavior is worth analyzing because inductors in various applications (such as solenoids, chokes, ignition systems, relays and filters) are frequently driven into saturation. The energy stored in the inductor is ultimately released and affects other components.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the behavior on an inductor with respect to stored energy during saturation
• How to calculate inductance and stored energy for an inductor as a function of magnetizing current

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Author & Publication:

Gregory Mirsky, Design Engineer, Deer Park, Ill., How2Power Today, Nov 15 2021

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