Inductors Explained: Types, Functions, and Applications
An inductor is a passive two‑terminal component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it.
Commonly called a choke, coil, or reactor, inductors come in two primary varieties: air‑core and iron‑core.
The image above shows several readily available types.
Air‑core inductors contain no ferromagnetic material; they use ceramic, plastic, or other non‑magnetic substrates. Iron‑core inductors, by contrast, incorporate an iron core to enhance magnetic flux and increase inductance.
Additional categories include variable inductors, which allow the inductance to be tuned to a desired value, and tapped inductors, where multiple electrical connections are available along the coil – a common feature in transformer windings.
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