Insulated inductor vs non insulated

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In summary, the difference between using insulated and non-insulated copper wire for inductors lies in their ability to dissipate heat and the spacing required for adjacent turns. While bare copper wire is better at dissipating heat, insulated wire allows for closer winding of turns. The type of wire used also affects losses at high frequencies, with insulated wire being more susceptible. In some cases, bare wire may be used for larger inductors in order to improve conductivity and reduce losses. For high voltage applications, insulation is necessary to prevent touching turns. Different types of insulation, such as Formvar or enamel, may be used depending on the expected temperature and number of turns. For multi-layer coils with high voltage, Litz wire with insulated strands is
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Blenton
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Im wondering what the difference would be for an inductor made of insulated copper wire and one without insulation in its effect of producing a magnetic field. Are there any cases when one would be used in place of the other?
 
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  • #2
Bare copper wire would be slightly better at dissipating heat than insulated wire.

However, bare copper wire must be spaced so that adjacent turns of the wire do not touch each other while insulated wire can be wound so that the wires are touching. This is very necessary when hundreds or thousands of turns of wire must be used as in some or most transformers.

The insulation itself has no effect on the inductance of the coil but it can increase the losses of the coil at high frequencies.

Large inductors used in transmitters are sometimes wound with bare wires and the wires are sometimes even silver plated to get better conductivity and fewer losses. These coils are spaced so that adjacent turns do not touch each other.
 
  • #3
Here is some additional information. If you need many close turns, use Formvar or enamel insulated magnet wire, or other coating suitable for max expected temperature. If you have a multilayer coil, and 100 turns ber layer, for example, and your L dI/dt is 10 volts per turn, you could have 2000 volts between touching turns. If the wire diameter is comparable to the skin depth at your operating frequency, then use Litz wire with insulated strands.
If your core is laminated transformer iron, the laminations need insulation (oxide or similar coating).
 

1. What is the difference between an insulated inductor and a non-insulated inductor?

An insulated inductor is one that has a layer of insulation, such as enamel, to prevent the wire from coming into contact with other components. A non-insulated inductor does not have this layer of insulation, making it more susceptible to interference and short-circuiting.

2. How does the insulation in an inductor affect its performance?

The insulation in an inductor helps to reduce interference from other components and prevents short-circuiting. This can result in a more stable and accurate performance compared to a non-insulated inductor.

3. Can I use a non-insulated inductor in place of an insulated one?

It is not recommended to use a non-insulated inductor in place of an insulated one. Non-insulated inductors are more prone to interference and short-circuiting, which can affect the overall performance of the circuit.

4. Are there any advantages to using a non-insulated inductor?

Non-insulated inductors are typically smaller and less expensive compared to insulated inductors. They may also have lower parasitic capacitance, resulting in better high-frequency performance.

5. Which type of inductor is better for high-frequency applications?

Insulated inductors are generally better for high-frequency applications due to their lower parasitic capacitance and reduced risk of interference. However, non-insulated inductors can also be suitable for certain high-frequency applications depending on their design and construction.

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