Varnish or Potting, Which one is Better to Avoid Humming Noise from Inductor

In summary, varnishing an inductor can reduce audible humming noise by holding the magnet wire in place and preventing it from vibrating. Potting the inductor with epoxy can also be effective, but may be more expensive and limit the ability to repair or rewind the transformer. Wet winding, where epoxy is applied to the wire as it is wound, may also help reduce vibration. However, potting or encapsulating the inductor may also reduce heat dissipation and cause it to run hotter.
  • #1
victorb
12
0
Someone just tell me that, "varnishing an inductor can reduce humming noise much better than encupsulating it", and this is what his friend told him where his friend worked in power supply field for over 10years.
(But I don't know did his "encupsulating" means potting)
Or did he mean varnish the winded core first, then pot it?

I agree with varnishing an inductor can reduce audible humming noise, as varnishing the winding can hold the magnet wire at its position and prevent it from vibration.
But I would rather think that potting the inductor should works even better.
Please correct me if I'm wrong :)

May I know more information on it?

Potting inductor:(pot the inductor by applying glue between the winded core and ferrite shielding)
mss1260.jpg

Varnsihing inductor: (dip varnish the winding, maybe after or before assembly the winded core on the header)
do3316.gif

(Please only refer to the inductor's sharp, but not size...)
 
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  • #2
It is a little better to talk about processes rather than results.

The traditional process is varnish dip and bake. That is very economical and fast. It works pretty well for most small coils which can stand having some areas free to vibrate.

Encapsulation usually refers to a process whereby you put the coil in a mold and pour/inject/suck the potting compound in. The potting compound is often an epoxy but may be a softer material in some instances.

If your application warrants it, the best way is to use an epoxy, applied either by vacuum/pressure or vacuum only. This gets the epoxy into almost all the tiny spaces. This is expensive and somewhat slow. However, there are many shops who do custom work in this area; you may generally find them by looking for "VPI coils" or something similar.

The ultimate goal is to have a rigid material holding every bit of winding in place, but you always end up making tradeoffs.

QUIZ: "Why do coils hum?" ANSWER: "'Cause they don't know the words.":biggrin:
 
  • #3
I do not think that either will reduce humming from a resonant circuit with inductor and capacator. Humming is caused by a frequency mis-match and a resistor has to be added to dampen the oscillations. The varnish is only meant to insulate the inductor, be it a 700HP motor or a three micro-henry inductor.
 
  • #4
Capacitors generally do not hum. Inductors do hum, for either
a) loose windings in coils, or coils that are not firmly secured in place, or
b) magnetostriction in magnetic material, or loose laminations in iron, or not fully compressed gap in pot cores. These can be exascerbated by mechanical resonances near the operating frequency.
 
  • #5
Better quality transformers use a lot of very thin laminations.
These are thin sheets of soft iron intended to stop eddy current losses.

Being so thin, they tend to bend easily and, unless they are packed very tightly, they rattle or bang against each other due to magnetic forces caused by the currents in the transformer windings.

Varnish has been used as a removable glue to avoid this. It grips the outer edges of the iron strips and fills any gaps between them,
Because it is varnish it will come apart with a little force and this would allow the transformer to be rewound.

Potting is a much more permanent process. It involved dipping the whole transformer in a two part epoxy mix. This is normally thicker than the varnish and grips better, so it would probably do a better job. However, rewinding or repair of the transformer is not possible after potting.

Either type of coating is quite capable of producing a quiet transformer, though.
 
  • #6
Thanks all your replys, it's informative for me and let me learned something more.

I think I got my answer.
The potting inductor that I posted is not really potted as I think (at least for the 1 that I disassembled), I disassembled 1 and found that's only EPOXY at the top gap of the inductor, and those EPOXY doesn't goes down to other internal part (winding, base...). And that's only 2 turns of tape (or 1 turn on somekind of unknown soft plastic tube) to serect the winding. I think that should called encapsulated, but not potted.
 
  • #7
Oh, the other process that might help (and I forgot to say) is wet winding. I've used this with superconductor coils (where any movement can be a disaster). You simply apply epoxy to the wire as you wind it, perhaps a cm or so before it reaches the bobbin. It gets messy, but there's epoxy everywhere.
 
  • #8
Aside: the operating profile of the coil is not mentioned, but keep in mind the potting process is will reduce the heat dissipation of the magnetics a bit, so for a given ambient it will run a bit hotter.
 
  • #9
mheslep said:
Aside: the operating profile of the coil is not mentioned, but keep in mind the potting process is will reduce the heat dissipation of the magnetics a bit, so for a given ambient it will run a bit hotter.

Good point. You can mitigate that a little bit by using a high thermal conductance epoxy such as Stycast 2850, but that's still only maybe 2% that of steel, so...
 

1. What is the difference between varnish and potting?

Varnish is a thin, protective coating that is applied to the surface of an inductor to prevent corrosion and improve its insulation properties. Potting, on the other hand, involves completely immersing the inductor in a resin or compound to protect it from environmental factors.

2. Which one is more effective in reducing humming noise from an inductor?

Both varnish and potting can effectively reduce humming noise from an inductor. However, potting is generally considered more effective as it provides a thicker layer of insulation and also helps to dampen vibrations.

3. Can varnish or potting affect the performance of the inductor?

When applied correctly, both varnish and potting should not significantly affect the performance of the inductor. However, improper application or use of incompatible materials can lead to decreased performance or even damage to the inductor.

4. How do I choose between varnish and potting for my inductor?

The choice between varnish and potting depends on several factors, including the type of inductor, its intended use, and the environment it will be exposed to. It is best to consult with a professional or refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to determine which method is best for your specific situation.

5. Can I apply varnish or potting myself, or should I seek professional help?

While varnish and potting can be applied by individuals with the proper knowledge and equipment, it is generally recommended to seek professional help to ensure the best results. Improper application can lead to decreased performance or damage to the inductor.

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