Integral for Current through an Inductor -- Not Working

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the current through an inductor using the integral relationship between voltage and current, specifically the equation I = Io + (1/L) ∫V dτ. The user encountered discrepancies between their calculated current and the expected graph, particularly when integrating a constant voltage over a non-constant interval. The solution involves breaking the voltage function into piecewise continuous sections to accurately compute the integral, emphasizing the importance of considering the varying voltage across the inductor during the specified time intervals.

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  • Understanding of inductor behavior in electrical circuits
  • Familiarity with integral calculus
  • Knowledge of piecewise functions
  • Experience using LTspice for circuit simulation
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  • Learn how to implement voltage integration in LTspice
  • Explore the relationship between voltage and current in inductors
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Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone involved in analyzing inductor behavior in electrical circuits.

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Homework Statement


[/B]
Calculate, and plot along with (on the same plot) the voltage seen below, the current flowing in the following circuit using the integral relationship between the voltage across an inductor and the current through the inductor. Verify your hand calculations and plot using LTspice.
1OAfhV2VSUxy7Crjkpf0IEg9f5vMlkDbY_OBrxWF5zXBbFmRvDcS2_bzXBivVw6N4gesxoSPrVJlorNcbzWya3kcxrrO1J3o.png


Homework Equations


I = Io+1/L ⋅ ∫Vdτ

The Attempt at a Solution


QqJ31FPoIC8kuGiMRRIDq6VH4D-EH8cSxMVWrmdNJiIN1TvMJICJwzXoIyk1EmjnY1nMCg0WCL0hhXL74HYOn0zECdAkkm0F.png


So I am obviously doing this incorrectly because the current I obtain from solving the integral doesn't match the graph. For example, If I want the current from time 100μs - 200μs:

I = 0 + 1/400μH∫1dτ = 250mA

250mA is too high according to the graph. Where am I going wrong here?
 

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    1OAfhV2VSUxy7Crjkpf0IEg9f5vMlkDbY_OBrxWF5zXBbFmRvDcS2_bzXBivVw6N4gesxoSPrVJlorNcbzWya3kcxrrO1J3o.png
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    QqJ31FPoIC8kuGiMRRIDq6VH4D-EH8cSxMVWrmdNJiIN1TvMJICJwzXoIyk1EmjnY1nMCg0WCL0hhXL74HYOn0zECdAkkm0F.png
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Why are you integrating a constant when the voltage across the inductor isn't constant over that time interval?
 
Good question. So what equation do I use to figure the current through the inductor?
 
You need to break up the voltage vs time equation into piecewise continuous sections and integrate over each piece.
 
  • Like
Likes DaveE
You have the correct equation, you just need to do the integral correctly. It may help to think of finding the "area" (volts*sec) under the voltage curve.
 
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Likes gneill

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