What are the functions of the chip inductor?

Shunluo Inductance Power Inductor SWPA Series - First Class Agent

The Role of the Chip Inductor

1. A chip inductor is a magnetic sensing element made by winding insulated wires, and it is one of the most commonly used passive components in electronic circuits.

2. The primary function of a chip inductor is to provide DC resistance while blocking AC signals. It can also work with capacitors or resistors to form resonant circuits, enabling frequency selection and tuning in various applications.

3. When an inductor coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor, it forms an LC tuning circuit, which allows the power inductor to perform resonance and frequency adjustment within the circuit.

4. Any current flowing through a chip inductor generates a magnetic field that affects the surrounding circuit. This magnetic flux can be considered as a load on the circuit, and the more saturated the magnetic flux, the more stable the inductor's performance tends to be in practical engineering scenarios.

5. When the current through the chip inductor changes, it generates a DC voltage that opposes the change in current. This effect helps prevent sudden current surges, protecting other components from damage and avoiding potential circuit failures such as burned substrates.

6. As the current increases through the chip power inductor, a self-induced electromotive force (EMF) is generated that opposes the current increase. This EMF works to maintain the current flow by releasing stored energy when the current decreases, thus stabilizing the circuit behavior.

7. Additionally, part of the electrical energy is converted into a magnetic field and stored within the inductor. After filtering, this helps smooth out the pulsating current and voltage, making the waveform more stable and increasing the conduction angle of rectifier diodes.

8. Unlike standard chip inductors, chip power inductors serve multiple functions in a circuit. They not only help with EMC and EMI shielding but also act as energy storage elements, making them essential in power supply designs.

9. Shielded chip inductors are designed to block unstable currents in certain circuits, offering improved noise suppression. The shielded metal casing surrounds the conductor and induces an equal amount of negative charge on its inner surface, effectively reducing electromagnetic interference.

10. On the outer surface of the shield, an equal amount of positive charge appears. If the metal shield is grounded, the external positive charge flows to the earth, eliminating any external electric field and improving overall circuit stability.