How can I measure the shunt capacitance of an inductor?

In summary, the conversation discusses the measurement of small capacitance between the windings of an axial inductor. It is mentioned that the inductor is not a short on an LCR meter and the use of a DMM + Vector Impedance Meter is suggested to measure the inductor's LCR values. The process of using a DMM and increasing the frequency to determine the capacitance is also mentioned.
  • #1
dnyberg2
125
2
I know that the there is some small capacitance between the windings of an axial inductor let's say, but how does one measure this? The inductor is a short on an LCR meter...
 
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  • #2
dnyberg2 said:
I know that the there is some small capacitance between the windings of an axial inductor let's say, but how does one measure this? The inductor is a short on an LCR meter...

An inductor is not a short on an LCR meter. If the meter is any good, it should be able to measure all 3 quantities for a real-world inductor. What meter are you using, and what value of inductor are you trying to measure?

You can also use a DMM + Vector Impedance Meter to characterize the inductor's LCR values.
 
  • #3
Increase the frequency until the coil is capacitive. From the frequency where the behaviour changes, you can deduce the capacitance - provided the inductance stays constant, far from granted.
 

What is inductor shunt capacitance?

Inductor shunt capacitance is the capacitance that exists between the turns of an inductor coil. It is caused by the electric field that forms between the conductive material of the coil and the surrounding air or dielectric material.

How does inductor shunt capacitance affect circuit performance?

Inductor shunt capacitance can affect the performance of a circuit by introducing unwanted capacitance, which can lead to changes in the resonant frequency, increased losses, and distortion of the signal. It can also cause problems such as ringing and oscillation in high-frequency circuits.

How can inductor shunt capacitance be reduced?

Inductor shunt capacitance can be reduced by using a higher quality inductor with tighter winding techniques, minimizing the distance between the turns, and using a lower permittivity dielectric material between the turns. Shielding the inductor can also help reduce the effects of shunt capacitance.

What is the formula for calculating inductor shunt capacitance?

The formula for calculating inductor shunt capacitance is C = (πεrε0N^2)/l, where C is the capacitance, εr is the relative permittivity of the surrounding material, ε0 is the permittivity of free space, N is the number of turns, and l is the length of the coil.

How can inductor shunt capacitance be beneficial in a circuit?

Inductor shunt capacitance can be beneficial in a circuit when it is intentionally added to improve performance. It can be used to create a resonant circuit, filter out unwanted frequencies, and improve power factor in AC circuits. It can also be used to store energy and reduce voltage spikes in switch-mode power supplies.

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