Glossary

A1 Value (nH/N2)
The inductance rating of a core in nanohenries (100 Henries) per turn squared based on a peak AC flux density of 10 gauss (1 millitesla) at a frequency of 10 KHz. Note: 35.0 nH/N2 =350µH for 100 turns =35.0 mH for 1000 turns.

Butt-Gap
The gapping of E Cores by equally spacing all three legs of the cores rather than introducing a gap in the center-leg only. Twice as much center-leg gap is required to electrically duplicate a given butt-gap.

Choke
Another term for an inductor which is intended to filter or choke out signals.

Common-Mode Noise
Electrical interference that is common to both lines in relation to earth ground.

Copper Loss (Watts)
The power loss (PR) or heat generated by current (I) flowing in a winding with resistance (R).

Core Loss (Watts)
The power loss or heat generated by a magnetic material subjected to an alternating magnetic field.

Cross-Sectional Area (A)
The effective cross-sectional area (cm2) of a core available for magnetic flux. The cross-sectional area listed for toroidal cores is based on bare core dimensions with a 5% radius correction.

Differential-Mode Noise
Electrical interference that is not common to both lines but is present between both lines. This is also known as normal-mode noise.

Energy Storage (½LI2)
The amount of energy stored, in microjoules (10-6 joules), is the product of one-half the inductance (L) in microhenries ( 10-6 Henries), times the current (I) squared in amperes.

Full Winding
-A winding for toroidal cores which will result in 45% of the core’s inside diameter remaining. -A winding for E Cores which will result in a full bobbin. The type of insulation, tightness of winding, and coil winding equipment limitations will all introduce variations.

Initial Permeability0)
That value of permeability at a peak AC flux density of 10 gauss (1 millitesla). =µBH.

Magnetizing Force (H)
The magnetic-field-strength which produces magnetic flux.
1 Oersted = 79.58 A/m=.7958 A/cm

In cgs units

H = .4P NI
          /
                    Where:      H
= Oersteds (Oe)
                                 
    N = Number of turns
                                      I = Current (amperes)
                                      / = Mean Magnetic Path (cm)
In SI units

H = NI
        /

Mean Magnetic Path Length (/)
The effective magnetic path length of a core structure (cm).

MLT (cm)

The mean-length-per-turn of wire for a core.

Peak AC Flux Density (B)

The number of lines of flux per unit of cross-sectional area generated by an alternating magnetic field (from zero or a net DC). In general:

In cgs units

Bpk = Eavg108             Where: Bpk   = Gauss (G),(1 gauss = 10-4 Telsa)
    
     4ANf                             Eavg = Average voltage per half-cycle (volts)
                                               A = Cross-sectional area (cm2)
                                               N
= Number of turns
                                               f
= Frequency (Hertz)

 

Peak to Peak Flux Density (triangle.gif (266 bytes)B)

In an alternating magnetic field, it is assumed that the peak to peak flux density is twice the value of peak AC flux density.triangle.gif (266 bytes)B =2 Bpk.

Percent Initial Permeability (%µ0)

Represents the percent change in permeability from the initial value.

Percent Ripple

The percentage of ripple or AC flux to total flux; or in an inductor, the percentage of alternating current to average current.

Percent Saturation

This is equal to 100% minus Percent Initial Permeability. ie: 20% saturation = 80% of initial permeability.

Simple Winding

A winding for toroidal cores which will result in 78% of the core’s inside diameter remaining. Often times this will produce a single-layer winding.

Single-Layer Winding

A winding for a toroidal core which will result in the full utilization of the inside circumference of the core without the overlapping of turns. The thickness of insulation and tightness of winding will affect results.

Swing

A term used to describe how inductance responds to changes in current. Example: A 2:1 swing corresponds to an inductor which exhibits 2 times more inductance at very low current than it does at its maximum rated current. This would also correspond to the core operating at 50% of initial permeability (also 50% saturation) at maximum current t.

Surface Area (cm2)

The effective surface area of a typical wound core available to dissipate heat.

Temperature Rise (triangle.gif (266 bytes)T)

The increase in surface temperature of a component in free-standing air due to the total power dissipation (both copper and core loss).

The following formula has been used to approximate temperature rise:

triangle.gif (266 bytes)T (°C) = [ Total Power Dissipation (milliwatts) ].833
                            Surface Area (cm2)