How to Make an Inductor

An inductor is an electrical component that stores the magnetic energy created by an electric current. It's typically a coiled wire because the loops concentrate the magnetic field generated by the current in the wire. Inductors are commonly used in electronic devices that have current and voltage that change with time, such as power supplies, audio equipment and radio transmitters. You can easily make an inductor simply by wrapping wire around an object.

Instructions

1. Wrap coils of wire around a strongly ferromagnetic core to increase the inductance. A solid core of copper or iron keeps the electromagnetic field closer to the inductor and thereby increases its inductance. These types of inductors are more common in power supplies where powerful inductors are needed.

2. Use a steel core to create a low frequency inductor. Inductors with weakly ferromagnetic cores don't experience large energy losses at high frequencies due to their high resistivity. These inductors are most common in devices that produce radio frequencies.

3. Make an inductor with an adjustable core. Some inductors have a metal arm that moves across the coil, changing its position as needed. This allows the inductor to change its inductance and is especially common in radio equipment.

4. Make a weak inductor by etching it directly on a circuit board. This type of inductor will have a spiral pattern since the circuit board only has two dimensions. The circuit for these inductors is typically made of a weakly conducting material such as aluminum.

5. Use a small bead or cylinder on a wire to block very high frequencies. These types of inductors are commonly installed around a cable as shielding to prevent external radio frequencies from being transmitted through the cable.

References

• American Radio Relay League