An inductor is an essential component of any circuit. To make a circuit work, it supplies the necessary voltage. It is necessary for the generation of current and the operation of power sources. Inductor structure is similar to that of a transformer, but with only one winding. The inductance of an inductor is determined by its resistance to current flow changes only. The inductor will attempt to block the flow of current through it when the circuit is turned on if there is no current flowing through it; When the circuit is disconnected, the inductor will attempt to maintain the current flow. Inductors are also known as chokes, reactors, and dynamic reactors. Generally, inductors consist of skeletons, windings, shields, packaging materials, magnetic cores, or iron cores.
What is Iron core inductor？
Generally, iron core inductors are used in power supplies to reduce ripple caused by different current draws. In order to maintain a continuous supply of voltage at the output of the power supply, a certain amount of energy must be continuously supplied to the load.As a result, the load is provided with sufficient power to function properly. In transformers used to boost the voltage of alternating current (AC), iron cores are often used since the frequency can vary greatly. Each AC cycle would generate a counter voltage (EMF) in the primary coil, and only half of it would be used. There is little energy wasted in the form of electromotive force in iron cores as the changing magnetic field is limited to one direction per cycle. Due to the lossy nature of iron, there will be eddy currents inside the iron core, which will cause the material inside the iron core to heat up and eventually saturate. Energy is also wasted as a result of this effect. Alternatively, ferrite cores are an excellent alternative to iron cores since their permeability is almost constant.
What is ferrite core inductor?
A ferrite inductor is a special type of inductor. There is a wire threaded into a ferrite column, also known as a ferrite bead in the early days. The ferrite inductors are called inductors because they share many characteristics with inductors, while also possessing some of their own distinctive characteristics. Ferrite inductors are characterized by their special properties based on the composition of their ferrite cores. A Ferrite magnet is made by combining magnetic powders with different properties and sintered.
The following table shows the difference between iron core and ferrite core inductors:
| Iron core inductor | Ferrite core inductor | |
| Application | The iron core inductors used in filter circuit and AF application | Ferrite core inductor for high- and medium-frequency applications can also be used as an antenna for the MW band using ferrite rods |
| If need require laminated | The iron core inductor is requires laminated iron core to reduce eddy current losses | It does not require laminated ferrite core to reduce eddy current losses |
| Current losses | It has large eddy current losses | It has lower eddy current losses |
| Q factor value | Iron core inductor has low Q factor | Ferrite core inductor has higher Q factor |
| Core size | Iron core inductors large in size | Ferrite core inductors smaller in size |
| Operating frequency | It has low operating frequency | It has higher operating frequency |
| Inductance value | Iron core inductor has lower inductance value | Ferrite core inductor has higher inductance value |
