🌀 Inductance Unit Converter
Convert between henries and sub-units: mH, µH, nH, and pH. Supports suffixes (e.g., 10u), scientific notation (1e-3), and plain numbers.
Inductance Converter Tool
Result: -
H, m (mH), u/µ (µH), n (nH), p (pH).| Unit | Symbol | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Henry | H | 1 |
| Millihenry | mH | 10⁻³ |
| Microhenry | µH | 10⁻⁶ |
| Nanohenry | nH | 10⁻⁹ |
| Picohenry | pH | 10⁻¹² |
Understanding Inductance
What is inductance?
Inductance (L) is the property of an electrical conductor by which a change in current induces an electromotive force (EMF). It is measured in henries (H). The basic relation is:
V = L × (dI/dt)
Physical origin
Inductance arises because magnetic fields store energy. A coil of wire with N turns, core permeability µ, area A, and length l has inductance:
L = (µ × N² × A) / l
Unit prefixes
- 1 H = 1 henry
- 1 mH = 10⁻³ H
- 1 µH = 10⁻⁶ H
- 1 nH = 10⁻⁹ H
- 1 pH = 10⁻¹² H
Applications
- Power electronics: Chokes and energy storage in SMPS (µH–mH).
- RF circuits: Inductors in LC filters and matching networks (nH–µH).
- Transformers: Mutual inductance links windings for voltage conversion.
- Energy storage: Inductors store energy in magnetic fields, E = ½ L I².
Measurement
Inductance is measured with LCR meters, bridges, or by time-domain methods (measuring current rise under a known voltage). For small values (nH–pH), vector network analyzers are used.
Common mistakes
- Confusing µH and mH (1000 µH = 1 mH).
- Ignoring core saturation in power inductors.
- Assuming inductors are ideal (real ones have resistance and parasitics).
Extended FAQ
What is mutual inductance?
Coupling between two coils; basis of transformers.
What’s the difference between air-core and ferrite-core?
Air cores don’t saturate but are bulkier. Ferrite cores allow high inductance in small size but saturate at high current.
Why are inductors rated by current?
Excessive current causes core saturation or overheating.
What is self-resonant frequency?
The frequency where an inductor’s parasitic capacitance resonates with its inductance.
Can inductance be negative?
Not physically in passive coils, but circuits can synthesize effective negative inductance.
Conclusion
Inductance is vital for controlling current and storing magnetic energy. Understanding units and practical considerations helps in designing efficient circuits.