Smaller inductors save board space but heat up faster. For high-current designs, larger inductors are necessary to prevent heat-related failures.
Buying an inductor involves balancing critical electrical specifications against physical constraints to ensure circuit stability and efficiency. Unlike standard resistors or capacitors, inductors are often project-specific components. Critical Specifications for Selection
): The point where the core material can no longer support additional magnetic flux, causing a sharp drop in inductance.
Higher DCR leads to more heat loss and decreased efficiency. Smaller physical inductors often have higher DCR because they use thinner wire. Core Material:
The "workhorse" for power supplies and EV chargers due to high flux and low loss at several MHz.
): Measured in Henrys (H), usually ranging from nanohenries (nH) to millihenrys (mH). It determines how much magnetic energy is stored and is typically chosen based on your "ripple budget". You must account for two distinct values:
A cheaper alternative often used for lower frequency applications but prone to higher losses at high frequencies.
Select SMD (Surface Mount) for standard pick-and-place manufacturing, or Through-hole for applications requiring higher mechanical strength.