Calculating the total inductance in a series or parallel combination of inductors involves different formulas depending on the configuration. Let's go through each one:
Series Inductor Combination:
When inductors are connected in series, their inductances add up to give the total inductance (L_total).
L_total = L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + Ln
Where:
L_total is the total inductance of the series combination.
L1, L2, L3, ... Ln are the individual inductances of the inductors connected in series.
Parallel Inductor Combination:
When inductors are connected in parallel, the reciprocal of their inductances adds up, and then the total inductance is the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals.
1 / L_total = 1 / L1 + 1 / L2 + 1 / L3 + ... + 1 / Ln
After calculating the sum of the reciprocals, take the reciprocal of the result to obtain the total inductance (L_total):
L_total = 1 / (1 / L1 + 1 / L2 + 1 / L3 + ... + 1 / Ln)
Where:
L_total is the total inductance of the parallel combination.
L1, L2, L3, ... Ln are the individual inductances of the inductors connected in parallel.
Keep in mind that the units for inductance are typically measured in henries (H) or millihenries (mH). When combining inductors in series or parallel, ensure that all units are consistent to obtain the correct result.