About Direction of current in the inductor in RL circuits

In summary, the direction of current in the inductor in an RL circuit is dependent on whether the circuit is in the charging or discharging stage. Initially, the voltage drop on the inductor will be in the direction of the initial current, but as the circuit reaches steady-state, there will be no further change in current and therefore no voltage across the inductor. This is different from the behavior of capacitors in the circuit.
  • #1
mazen_zone
17
0
i'm a bit confused about the direction of current in the inductor in RL circuit, i thought in the charging stage at t(0-) the the voltage drop on it will be in the direction of the initial current, which means the discharging current at t(0+) will be in the opposite direction of the initial current (voltage rise direction) as in the case of the capacitors, but i find the oppoaite in the books.
so could anyone explain this please...
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF mazen_zone.

Here's a wiki page that might help. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RL_circuit#Time_domain_considerations"
...the inductor will only have a voltage across as long as the current in the circuit is changing — as the circuit reaches its steady-state, there is no further current change and ultimately no inductor voltage.
 
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  • #3
thx alot...that really helped
 

What is the direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit?

The direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit is determined by the direction of the induced EMF (electromotive force) in the inductor. This induced EMF opposes the change in current and causes the current to flow in the opposite direction.

Why does the direction of current change in an inductor in an RL circuit?

The direction of current changes in an inductor in an RL circuit because of the principle of electromagnetic induction. When the circuit is first turned on, the inductor resists the sudden change in current, causing the current to flow in the opposite direction. As the current stabilizes, the direction of current also stabilizes.

What is the significance of the direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit?

The direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit is significant because it affects the behavior of the circuit. The induced EMF in the inductor can cause the circuit to have a time delay or a phase shift in the current, leading to changes in the circuit's overall performance.

How can the direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit be determined?

The direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit can be determined by using the right-hand rule. If the fingers of the right hand point in the direction of the current flow in the inductor, then the thumb will point in the direction of the induced EMF, which is the opposite direction of the current.

Does the direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit change over time?

Yes, the direction of current in an inductor in an RL circuit can change over time. As the current stabilizes, the direction of current will also stabilize. However, if there is a change in the current, such as turning off the circuit or changing the resistance, the direction of current in the inductor will also change accordingly.

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