Inductors in Parallel Calculator

Calculate equivalent inductance for inductors connected in parallel using reciprocal formula

Calculate Equivalent Inductance

Inductors (2/10)

Equivalent Inductance Results

0
Microhenries (μH)
0
Millihenries (mH)
0
Henries (H)
0
Kilohenries (kH)
0s
Time Constant (τ = L/R, R=1Ω)
0
Active Inductors

Formula used: 1/Leq = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + ... + 1/Ln

Parallel property: Equivalent inductance is always less than the smallest individual inductance

Energy storage: Each inductor stores energy E = ½LI² independently

Circuit Analysis

Example Calculation

Three Inductors in Parallel

Inductor 1: L₁ = 5H

Inductor 2: L₂ = 10H

Inductor 3: L₃ = 15H

Step-by-Step Calculation

1/Leq = 1/L₁ + 1/L₂ + 1/L₃

1/Leq = 1/5 + 1/10 + 1/15

1/Leq = 0.2 + 0.1 + 0.0667 = 0.3667

Leq = 1/0.3667 = 2.727H

Parallel Inductors Properties

V

Same Voltage

All inductors have same voltage

V₁ = V₂ = V₃ = Vtotal

I

Current Division

Current divides inversely by inductance

Itotal = I₁ + I₂ + I₃

L

Reduced Inductance

Equivalent < smallest individual

Leq < min(L₁, L₂, L₃)

Circuit Tips

Use parallel inductors to reduce total inductance

Higher current flows through lower inductance paths

Parallel connection provides multiple current paths

Each inductor can fail independently

Understanding Inductors in Parallel

What are Parallel Inductors?

Inductors are connected in parallel when one end of each inductor is connected to a common point, and the other end is connected to another common point. This creates multiple paths for current flow with the same voltage across each inductor.

Key Characteristics

  • Same voltage across all inductors
  • Current divides between branches
  • Reduced total inductance
  • Multiple energy storage paths

Parallel Inductance Formula

1/Leq = 1/L₁ + 1/L₂ + ... + 1/Lₙ

Leq = 1 / (1/L₁ + 1/L₂ + ... + 1/Lₙ)

  • Leq: Equivalent inductance (H)
  • L₁, L₂, Lₙ: Individual inductances (H)
  • Current Division: In = V/(j𝜔Ln)
  • Energy Storage: Etotal = ½LeqItotal²

Note: For equal inductors: Leq = L/n, where n is the number of inductors

Applications

  • Filter Circuits: Creating specific frequency responses
  • Power Supplies: Reducing ripple and improving regulation
  • Impedance Matching: Adjusting circuit impedance
  • Current Sharing: Distributing current loads

Design Considerations

  • Tolerance Matching: Use similar tolerance inductors
  • Current Rating: Each inductor must handle its branch current
  • Frequency Response: Consider parasitic capacitance
  • Thermal Effects: Temperature coefficient matching