DC voltage across the inductor?

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    Dc Inductor Voltage
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of an inductor when a DC voltage is applied across it. Participants explore the implications of this scenario, including the role of the inductor's internal resistance and the concept of impedance in both DC and AC contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the voltage drop across an inductor with DC voltage is solely due to the series internal resistance of the coil and whether this resistance can be determined using the formula V_supply = I x r(series).
  • Another participant hints at the concept of impedance, prompting a discussion about its definition and relevance to the inductor.
  • A participant provides a formula relating voltage, resistance, and inductance, suggesting that in a superconducting scenario (R=0), the current would be proportional to the voltage divided by inductance.
  • Concerns are raised about the circuit configuration, questioning what would happen if only the inductor is present when a voltage is applied.
  • It is noted that at DC, the resistance is primarily the series resistance of the wire, while the behavior changes with AC signals, where the perceived resistance increases with frequency due to inductive reactance.
  • One participant explains that the impedance of an inductor includes both resistance and reactance, and discusses how the reactance term behaves under DC conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of applying DC voltage to an inductor, particularly regarding the role of impedance and the effects of frequency. There is no consensus on the overall behavior of the inductor in this scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as impedance and reactance without fully resolving the definitions or implications in the context of DC versus AC applications. There are also simplifications mentioned regarding the behavior of inductors at different frequencies.

php
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what happens when u apply DC voltage across the inductor? i.e is the voltage drop only across the series internal resistance of the coil? can we just determine this resistance by simply saying: V_supply = I x r(series)? or do we have to include the inductance?
 
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hint: Do you know the impedance of an inductor?
 


Ouabache said:
hint: Do you know the impedance of an inductor?

whats an impedance?
do you mean X_L=wL?
 


V = Ri + L*di/dt

i = (V/R)*(1 - exp(-Rt/L))

If R=0 (superconducting), then

i = Vt/L

Claude
 


Before we get too far along, I hope you have more in your circuit besides the inductor, otherwise what do you think would happen when you apply a voltage across a coil of wire?
php said:
whats an impedance?
do you mean X_L=wL?
You're on the right track, however you've given only the inductive reactance.
The impedance Z of an inductor includes both real (pure resistance) and imaginary terms (reactance).
[itex]Z = R + jX_L = R+ j \omega L[/itex]
So the voltage across it would be? [itex]V = IZ = I (R + j \omega L)[/itex]

Since you are applying only a DC voltage (no frequency component), what happens to the reactance term?
 


Most likely the wire will get hot. You are right, at DC the resistance is only the series resistance of the wire.

If you were to apply an AC signal then it is different. As you increase the frequency the perceived resistance to the AC signal would increase. Many small signal inductors are rated at 100MHz. The rating will be something like 300 ohms at 100MHz meaning that to the source, the line the signal is traveling on will look like a 300 ohm resistor. This is in magnitude impedance format, which is the perceived resistance. At slightly over DC the perceived resistance will be near zero ohms, as the frequency increases, so will the perceived resistance. There is a point at which the resistance will reach a maximum and then it will go back down

There are a few simplifications here but the concept is sound.
 

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