FAD1022 L31-L33 — Inductance & Transformers — Formula Sheet

A comprehensive collection of all formulas, equations, and key relationships from Lectures 31–33 on Self-Inductance, Mutual Inductance, and Transformers.


1. Fundamental Constants

Symbol Value Description
$\mu_0$ $1.2567 \times 10^{-6}\ \text{H/m}$ (or $4\pi \times 10^{-7}\ \text{H/m}$) Permeability of free space

2. Self-Inductance

2.1 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

$$B = \mu_0 n I = \mu_0 \left(\frac{N}{\ell}\right) I$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$B$ Magnetic field inside the solenoid T (Tesla)
$\mu_0$ Permeability of free space H/m
$n$ Number of turns per unit length turns/m
$N$ Total number of turns
$\ell$ Length of the solenoid m
$I$ Current through the solenoid A

2.2 Self-Induced EMF (Back EMF)

$$\mathcal{E} = -L \frac{dI}{dt}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$\mathcal{E}$ Self-induced emf (back emf) V
$L$ Self-inductance H (Henry)
$\frac{dI}{dt}$ Rate of change of current A/s

Lenz's Law: The negative sign indicates that the induced emf opposes the change in current.

  • $I$ increasing → induced emf is in the opposite direction.
  • $I$ decreasing → induced emf is in the same direction.

2.3 Inductance of a Solenoid

$$L = \frac{\mu_0 N^2 A}{\ell}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$L$ Self-inductance H
$\mu_0$ Permeability of free space H/m
$N$ Total number of turns
$A$ Cross-sectional area
$\ell$ Length of the solenoid m

2.4 General Definition of Inductance

$$L = \frac{N\Phi_B}{I}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$L$ Self-inductance H
$N$ Number of turns
$\Phi_B$ Magnetic flux through one turn Wb (Weber)
$I$ Current A

3. Energy Stored in an Inductor

3.1 Energy in the Magnetic Field

$$U = \frac{1}{2} L I^2$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$U$ (or $E$) Energy stored in the inductor J (Joules)
$L$ Self-inductance H
$I$ Current A

3.2 Capacitor–Inductor Analogies

Property Capacitor Inductor
Depends on geometry $C = \dfrac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d}$ $L = \dfrac{\mu_0 N^2 A}{\ell}$
Energy stored $U = \dfrac{1}{2} C V^2$ $U = \dfrac{1}{2} L I^2$
Defining relation $C = \dfrac{Q}{V}$ $L = \dfrac{N\Phi}{I}$
Variable Meaning Unit
$C$ Capacitance F (Farad)
$\varepsilon_0$ Permittivity of free space F/m
$A$ Plate / cross-sectional area
$d$ Plate separation m
$Q$ Charge C (Coulomb)
$V$ Voltage V

4. Mutual Inductance

4.1 Definition of Mutual Inductance

$$M_{21} = \frac{N_2 \Phi_{21}}{i_1}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$M_{21}$ Mutual inductance of coil 2 with respect to coil 1 H
$N_2$ Number of turns in coil 2
$\Phi_{21}$ Magnetic flux through one turn of coil 2 due to current in coil 1 Wb
$i_1$ Current in coil 1 A

4.2 EMF Induced in Coupled Coils

EMF induced in coil 2 due to changing current in coil 1:

$$\varepsilon_2 = \frac{N_2 , d\Phi_{21}}{dt} = M_{21} \frac{di_1}{dt}$$

EMF induced in coil 1 due to changing current in coil 2:

$$\varepsilon_1 = \frac{N_1 , d\Phi_{12}}{dt} = M_{12} \frac{di_2}{dt}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$\varepsilon_2$ Induced emf in coil 2 V
$\varepsilon_1$ Induced emf in coil 1 V
$M_{21}, M_{12}$ Mutual inductance H
$\frac{di_1}{dt}, \frac{di_2}{dt}$ Rate of change of current A/s

4.3 Reciprocity Theorem

$$M_{12} = M_{21} = M$$

Therefore:

$$\varepsilon_1 = M \frac{di_2}{dt} \quad \text{and} \quad \varepsilon_2 = M \frac{di_1}{dt}$$

4.4 Alternative Definition of Mutual Inductance

$$M = \frac{N_2 \Phi_2}{I_1} = \frac{N_1 \Phi_1}{I_2}$$

4.5 Mutual Inductance for Coaxial Solenoids

For two coaxial solenoids with common cross-sectional area $A$ and length $l$:

Magnetic field produced by primary coil:

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 N_p I}{l}$$

Rate of change of magnetic field:

$$\frac{dB}{dt} = \frac{\mu_0 N_p}{l_p} \frac{dI}{dt}$$

Induced emf in secondary coil:

$$\varepsilon_s = N_s A_s \frac{dB}{dt} = \frac{\mu_0 N_p N_s A_s}{l_p} \frac{dI_p}{dt}$$

Mutual inductance for coaxial solenoids:

$$M = \frac{\mu_0 N_p N_s A}{l}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$N_p$ Number of turns in primary coil
$N_s$ Number of turns in secondary coil
$A$ (or $A_s$) Cross-sectional area
$l$ (or $l_p$) Length of the solenoid m
$I$ (or $I_p$) Current in primary coil A
$\frac{dI_p}{dt}$ Rate of change of primary current A/s

Key Point: As the separation distance between circuits increases, mutual inductance decreases because the magnetic flux linking the circuits decreases.


5. Transformers

5.1 Fundamental Principle

Rate of change of magnetic flux is the same for both coils:

$$\frac{d\Phi_1}{dt} = \frac{d\Phi_2}{dt}$$

5.2 Faraday's Law Applied to Transformer Coils

Secondary coil:

$$V_s = -N_s \frac{d\Phi}{dt}$$

Primary coil:

$$V_p = -N_p \frac{d\Phi}{dt}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$V_s$ Voltage across secondary coil V
$V_p$ Voltage across primary coil V
$N_s$ Number of turns in secondary coil
$N_p$ Number of turns in primary coil
$\frac{d\Phi}{dt}$ Rate of change of magnetic flux Wb/s

5.3 Transformer Equation (Voltage–Turns Ratio)

$$\frac{V_s}{V_p} = \frac{N_s}{N_p}$$

  • Step-up transformer: $N_s > N_p$ → increases voltage
  • Step-down transformer: $N_s < N_p$ → decreases voltage

5.4 Current Ratio (Ideal Transformer)

For an ideal transformer (energy losses = zero), power conservation gives:

$$\frac{I_s}{I_p} = \frac{V_p}{V_s} = \frac{N_p}{N_s}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$I_s$ Current in secondary coil A
$I_p$ Current in primary coil A

5.5 Power Conservation (Ideal Transformer)

$$P_p = P_s \implies V_p I_p = V_s I_s$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$P_p$ Power in primary coil W
$P_s$ Power in secondary coil W

Rule: A transformer that steps up the voltage simultaneously steps down the current, and vice versa.


6. Transformer Energy Losses (Real Transformers)

6.1 Copper Loss

$$P_{\text{copper}} = I^2 R$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$P$ Power lost as heat W
$I$ Current through the coil A
$R$ Resistance of the coil Ω

Fix: Use thick, low-resistance copper wire.

6.2 Eddy Current Loss

Time-varying magnetic field produces eddy currents in the iron core. Heat produced:

$$P_{\text{eddy}} \propto B^2 f^2 t^2$$

Fix: Use laminated iron core to minimize energy loss.

6.3 Hysteresis Loss

Energy wasted as heat during reversal of magnetization.

Fix: Use "soft" magnetic materials like Silicon Steel.

6.4 Flux Leakage

Not all magnetic field lines reach the secondary coil.

Fix: Wrap coils on top of each other.


7. Power Transmission

7.1 Power Loss in Transmission Lines

$$P_{\text{loss}} = I^2 R_{\text{line}}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$P_{\text{loss}}$ Power lost in transmission W
$I$ Current in the transmission line A
$R_{\text{line}}$ Resistance of the transmission line Ω

7.2 Percentage Power Loss

$$% \text{ Power Loss} = \frac{P_{\text{loss}}}{P_{\text{total}}} \times 100% = \frac{I^2 R_{\text{line}}}{P_{\text{total}}} \times 100%$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$P_{\text{total}}$ Total power generated / transmitted W

7.3 RMS Voltage for Sinusoidal AC

$$V_{\text{rms}} = \frac{V_{\text{max}}}{\sqrt{2}}$$

Variable Meaning Unit
$V_{\text{rms}}$ Root-mean-square voltage V
$V_{\text{max}}$ Peak voltage V

High-voltage transmission dramatically reduces $I^2R$ losses by lowering the current for the same power.


8. Summary Table: Self vs Mutual Inductance

Aspect Self Inductance, $L$ Mutual Inductance, $M$
Definition Property of a coil to oppose change in current flowing through itself Property of two coils to induce EMF in one coil due to change in current in the other
Dependence Geometry of the coil and core material Geometry of both coils, their distance, and orientation
Unit Henry (H) Henry (H)
Energy Stores energy in magnetic field Transfers energy between coils via magnetic field
Cause Change in current in same coil Change in current in neighboring coil
Interaction Single coil Two or more coils
Application Inductors, chokes, tuning circuits Transformers, wireless charging, inductive coupling

9. Key Relationships & Process Chains

Self-Induction Chain:

$$\Delta I \rightarrow \Delta B \rightarrow \Delta\Phi \rightarrow \mathcal{E}_{\text{ind}}$$

Mutual Induction Chain:

  1. Current in 1st coil changes
  2. Magnetic field in 1st coil changes
  3. Magnetic flux in 2nd coil changes
  4. Induced EMF in 2nd coil
  5. Induced current in 2nd coil

Transformer Power Transmission Chain:

$$\text{Power Plant} \rightarrow \text{Step-Up Transformer} \rightarrow \text{High Voltage Transmission} \rightarrow \text{Step-Down Transformer} \rightarrow \text{Consumer}$$


Compiled from FAD1022 L31-L33 — Inductance & Transformers