Stored Energy In A Saturating Inductor Is Not Constant
by Gregory Mirsky, Design Engineer, Deer Park, Ill., How2Power Today, Nov 15 2021
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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