Inductor Energy Storage Calculator

Calculate magnetic energy stored in inductors and analyze electromagnetic field energy storage

Calculate Inductor Energy Storage

Self-inductance of the coil or inductor

Current flowing through the inductor

Calculation Results

Primary Results

Additional Parameters

Energy Formula:E = ½LI²

Energy Storage Formula: E = ½ × L × I²

Physics Principle: Magnetic field energy in inductors is proportional to inductance and current squared

Applications: Energy storage systems, magnetic field generation, AC circuit analysis

Energy Storage Analysis

Example Calculation

Solenoid Energy Storage

Application: Energy storage in an electromagnetic coil

Inductance: L = 20 μH

Current: I = 300 mA

Magnetic field: Created by current flow through coil

Calculation

E = ½ × L × I²

E = ½ × (20 × 10⁻⁶ H) × (300 × 10⁻³ A)²

E = ½ × (2 × 10⁻⁵ H) × (9 × 10⁻²)²

E = ½ × (2 × 10⁻⁵) × (8.1 × 10⁻³)

E = 9.0 × 10⁻⁷ J = 0.9 μJ

Energy Storage Principles

E

Magnetic Energy

Energy stored in magnetic field

E = ½LI²

L

Inductance

Ability to store magnetic energy

Measured in Henries (H)

I

Current

Charge flow creating magnetic field

Energy ∝ I² (quadratic relationship)

Applications

🔋

Energy storage systems and superconducting magnets

AC circuit analysis and impedance calculations

🔌

Transformers and electromagnetic induction systems

📡

Radio frequency circuits and oscillators

🏭

Industrial motor drives and power electronics

Understanding Inductor Energy Storage

Magnetic Energy Storage

When current flows through an inductor (coil), it creates a magnetic field around the conductor. This magnetic field stores energy that can be released when the current changes. The energy storage is a fundamental property of inductance and is crucial in many electrical applications.

Physical Principles

  • Energy is stored in the magnetic field, not the conductor itself
  • Energy is proportional to current squared (I²)
  • Inductance determines energy storage capacity
  • Energy release occurs when magnetic field changes

Mathematical Relationships

Energy Formula

E = ½LI²

Energy equals half inductance times current squared

Power Relationship

P = L × I × (dI/dt)

Power depends on rate of current change

Magnetic Field Energy

U = B²/(2μ₀) × Volume

Energy density in magnetic field

Key Characteristics

Energy Storage: Proportional to L and I², released when current changes
Time Constant: L/R determines charging and discharging rate
Impedance: Increases with frequency (jωL in AC circuits)

Practical Applications

Energy Storage Systems

Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems use large inductors to store electrical energy for power grid stabilization and peak load management.

High-current, high-inductance coils

AC Circuit Analysis

Understanding inductor energy storage is crucial for analyzing AC circuits, power factor correction, and designing filters and transformers.

Reactive power and impedance

Switching Circuits

In switching power supplies and motor drives, inductor energy storage affects current ripple, efficiency, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Buck/boost converters, motor control