Detailed introduction to the classification of inductors

Detailed explanation of the classification of inductors
Inductance, as an important passive component in circuits, can be classified into various types according to different standards. This article will mainly classify and explain inductors based on three dimensions: materials, installation methods, and functions, in order to help readers systematically understand their characteristics and applications.
1、 Classified by material
The core performance of an inductor largely depends on its magnetic core material, and common types include:
1. Ferrite inductance: Using manganese zinc or nickel zinc ferrite cores, it has the characteristics of high resistivity and low eddy current loss, and is widely used in high-frequency switching power supplies and filtering circuits.
2. Iron powder core inductor: The magnetic core is made of iron powder particles coated with insulation, and has the characteristics of distributed air gap and strong anti saturation ability. It is commonly used in power converters and PFC circuits.
3. Alloy powder core inductor: such as molybdenum pomo alloy powder core, with high magnetic permeability and low loss, suitable for medium and high frequency applications with high efficiency requirements.
4. Hollow core inductor: It has a coreless structure and relies entirely on the coil itself to generate magnetic flux, without the problem of magnetic saturation. It is commonly used in high-frequency RF circuits.
2、 Classified by installation method
According to the assembly method on the circuit board, inductors are mainly divided into two categories:
1. Plug in inductor: with leads, soldered onto the circuit board through perforation. This type of inductor usually has a large volume and power, a sturdy structure, and is commonly used in industrial equipment, power modules, and other situations where size requirements are not strict.
2. Surface mount inductor: Using surface mount technology, it is directly soldered onto the surface of the circuit board. It has the advantages of small size and high automation production efficiency, and is the mainstream choice for modern consumer electronics and communication equipment.
3、 Classified by Function
According to their role in the circuit, inductors can be divided into the following categories:
1. Power inductor: mainly used in power processing circuits such as DC-DC converters and power regulators, requiring high saturation current and low DC resistance.
2. RF inductance: The working frequency is usually in the range of MHz to GHz, emphasizing high Q value and stability, and widely used in wireless communication, RF matching and other circuits.
3. Filter inductor: Combined with capacitor to form LC filter, used to suppress electromagnetic interference and smooth current, commonly used in power input and output terminals and signal lines.
4. Common mode inductor: Adopting a dual wire parallel winding structure, it is mainly used to suppress common mode noise and is a key component in the electromagnetic compatibility design of power and signal lines.
In summary, there are various classifications of inductors, and in practical selection, it is necessary to comprehensively consider operating frequency, current capacity, space limitations, and circuit functional requirements. Understanding these classifications helps engineers make more appropriate choices in design, thereby optimizing circuit performance and reliability.