Known as an air coil inductor or an air core inductor, an air inductor has no magnetic core in the coil. With an air core inductor, the peak inductance of the circuit is lower, while the energy loss associated with ferrite inductors is also lessened. It is possible to operate air core inductors at their maximum frequencies due to the lack of core losses. 

Air Core Inductor Design

Magnetic field theory is used to design air core inductors. Currents flowing through conductors generate magnetic fields. Conductor diameter and length, as well as its ability to carry current without resistance, determine the strength of the magnetic field generated. Inductor coils and wires are wound into helical shapes in order to become inductors. Inductance is increased as a result of multiple turns interacting with each other, creating a stronger magnetic field.

As a result of its lack of reliance on materials other than air for construction, air core winding is commonly used for both low and high frequency applications. Two basic types of air core inductors exist: single loop and multiple loop. A multi-looped inductor provides greater inductance, but it’s design will determine its effectiveness.

Working of Air Core Inductor

Want to know what an air core inductor is, then you need to learn about its working principle too. Electromagnetic induction is the basis of an air core inductor’s operation. Conductors placed in magnetic fields develop voltages when their current-carrying wires produce opposing forces. Inducing an electromotive force (EMF) from this voltage can provide various applications with energy. A coil of insulated wires wrapped around an air-filled cylinder or tube creates a magnetic field in the same way as an air core inductor. 

A coil’s electrical conductors are induced with electrical energy when current passes through it, creating an electromagnetic field that induces current. Current flows throughout the circuit as a result of this induced EMF.

Signal filters and basic electronic circuit elements can also be created using air core inductors. It is possible to reduce undesirable frequencies while preserving desired frequencies by controlling wire resistance. In this way, designers can create frequency responses that are precise and tailored to their needs. The low DC resistance and improved high-frequency performance of air core inductors also make them superior to ferrite or iron core inductors.

Power supplies, telecommunications equipment, computers, amplifiers, and more use air core inductors for a variety of different electrical circuits. Electronic circuits can be reliably powered and signaled with magnetic fields.

Advantages of Air Core Inductor

Inductors with air cores have several advantages.

• It is a very simple inductor to construct.

• High-frequency operation, no iron losses, and saturation-free characteristics are some of the advantages of these inductors.

• Current rate does not affect its conductivity.

• The magnetic core is also protected from iron losses by this inductor.

• There are no core losses & distortions at high frequencies with this inductor.

• These types of inductors are not expensive.

• At maximum magnetic field strengths, there is a slight signal loss.

• A ferromagnetic core inductor can transmit electromagnetic frequencies up to 1 GHz, but after 100 MHz, it suffers losses.

Disadvantages of Air Core Inductor

• Inductor size is large.

• This inductor has a low Q factor.

• These inductors cannot have a high inductance value.

• To achieve similar inductance to a solid-core inductor, a coil would need to have the same number of turns.

• Inductance decreases as air’s electrical conductivity decreases.

Types of Inductors

Air core inductors and ferrite core inductors are two main types of inductors. Inductors made of air use coils of wire that are wound around cylinders or bobbins. A magnetic field can be created inside a coil without requiring any special materials, such as ferrite. The lack of a physical core material allows air core inductors to produce low levels of losses, making them ideally suited to high-frequency applications.

Inductors with ferrite cores create a strong magnetic field within the coil windings due to the solid ferrite material inside. When operated at higher frequencies, Ferrite cores have lower impedance and offer higher current ratings than air cores. The wide frequency range and high current ratings of this inductor make it ideal for use in power supplies and radio transmitters.

The ability to store electrical energy in the form of a magnetic field makes air core and ferrite core inductors vital components in electronics and engineering. The performance of engineering systems can be tailored when engineers use these two different types of inductors.

Final Verdict

Typically, an air core inductor stores electrical energy as a magnetic field, such as in electronic circuits. Signals can be filtered out with them, or voltage can be regulated with them. The performance of these components is essential for many circuit designs, despite their simplicity.