1. What is Inductor Power Loss?

Inductor power loss consists of two main components: I²R losses (copper losses) in the winding resistance and core losses (hysteresis and eddy current losses) in the magnetic material. Understanding these losses is crucial for efficient power supply design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inductor power loss equation:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current through the inductor (amps)
• \( R \) — Winding resistance (ohms)
• \( \text{Core Loss} \) — Power dissipated in the core (watts)

Explanation: The I²R term represents the resistive losses in the inductor's winding, while the core loss accounts for magnetic losses in the core material.

3. Importance of Power Loss Calculation

Details: Accurate power loss estimation is essential for thermal design, efficiency calculations, and component selection in power electronics applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amps, resistance in ohms, and core loss in watts. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What affects core loss in inductors?
A: Core loss depends on frequency, flux density, core material, and temperature. It typically increases with frequency and flux density.

Q2: How can I reduce inductor power losses?
A: Use lower resistance windings, higher permeability core materials, and operate at lower frequencies when possible.

Q3: What are typical core loss values?
A: Core loss varies widely by material and operating conditions - from milliwatts in small ferrite cores to watts in large power inductors.

Q4: Does temperature affect these calculations?
A: Yes, winding resistance increases with temperature, and core losses are temperature-dependent.

Q5: When should I use this calculation?
A: This is most useful for DC-DC converter design, power supply optimization, and thermal management planning.