Inductor Energy Calculator
Calculate energy storage, inductance, current, or timing for power inductors.
Optional: for calculating di/dt and rise time
Common Inductor Applications
Understanding Inductor Energy
Inductors store energy in a magnetic field when current flows through them. Unlike capacitors that store energy in an electric field, inductors resist changes in current. This property makes them essential for power conversion and filtering.
Energy Storage
E = ½LI²
Energy is proportional to inductance and the square of current. Doubling current quadruples stored energy.
Voltage Relationship
V = L × di/dt
Voltage across an inductor equals inductance times rate of current change. Fast changes create high voltages.
Power Electronics Applications
Buck Converters
Step-down DC-DC converters use inductors to smooth output current and store energy during switch-off periods.
Boost Converters
Step-up converters store energy in the inductor during on-time and release it at higher voltage during off-time.
Flyback Transformers
Energy stored in the primary winding transfers to secondary during flyback, enabling isolation and voltage scaling.
Motor Drives
Motor windings are inductors. Understanding energy storage helps size drive electronics and protection circuits.
Energy Harvesting
Inductors accumulate energy from low-power sources before transferring it efficiently to storage capacitors.
Inductive Loads
Relays, solenoids, and other inductive loads release stored energy when switched off—size your flyback diodes accordingly.
Design Considerations
Saturation Current
Inductors saturate when core material reaches magnetic limits. Inductance drops sharply above saturation current—always check datasheets for Isat rating.
DCR (DC Resistance)
Wire resistance causes I²R power loss and heating. Lower DCR improves efficiency but typically increases size and cost.
Core Losses
AC currents cause hysteresis and eddy current losses in the core. Higher frequencies increase these losses significantly.
Snubber Circuits
When switching off inductive loads, stored energy must go somewhere. RC snubbers or flyback diodes protect switching devices.