What Are Inductors?
An inductor is a passive electrical component that helps buffer sudden fluctuations in current. When a current is applied to the inductor, a time-varying magnetic field induces a force with polarity that opposes the change in the applied current. In the process, the inductor stores energy in the induced magnetic field to slow or smooth sudden spikes in current and then transfers this energy to the circuit.
Applications
Custom Coils provides reliable custom inductors for numerous applications, including:
- Impedance matching
- Creating LC circuits
- Storing and transferring power converter energy, including DC-DC and AC-DC
- Choking, blocking, filtering/smoothing, or attenuating high-frequency electrical circuit noise
- Developing tuned oscillators
Types of Inductors
Depending on the application, we offer four main types of inductors:
- Iron Core Inductor: These inductor cores consist of iron, and they allow for high inductance values and high power. Iron core inductors require less space and are ideal for audio equipment and other low-frequency electronics.
- Iron Powder Inductor: This inductor gets its name from the insulative powdered iron oxide contents of its core. The air gaps in these cores result in low permeability and the storage of high magnetic flux.
- Air Core Inductor: Air core inductors are ideal for low-inductance applications. Since the core is hollow, these inductors require more turns but do not have core losses. The rate of current rise is fast, so air core inductors can handle RF circuits and other high-frequency applications.
- Ferrite Core Inductor: Ferrite makes up the core of this inductor and can be further classified as soft or hard ferrites. Soft ferrites can reverse their polarity without any requirement for outside energy. Meanwhile, hard ferrites have a static polarity that permanently magnetizes the inductor.
Materials for Custom Inductors
We use various materials for each customer-specific inductor design, including:
- Aluminum alloy
- Copper-coated aluminum
- Copper-beryllium
- Copper magnet wire
- Copper tubing
- Hollow-core conductor
- Litz wire
Inductors from Custom Coils
At Custom Coils, we manufacture inductors and chokes to suit a range of applications. We specialize in coils for high-power and thermal applications and deliver prototypes and production runs in small to large volumes.
As an experienced inductor manufacturer, we design and fabricate several coil products, including air cores, bobbin wound cores, chokes, and inductors of various types and materials. Our products use 100% trackable parts and meet ISO, NEMA, and UL standards. We can also test for factors like surge and mechanical capabilities, and we offer a range of secondary manufacturing services.
Contact us to learn more about our custom inductor manufacturing capabilities, or request a quote today.