Series Inductors
Calculate the total equivalent inductance of inductors connected in series with this free online physics calculator. Get instant L_total results with interactive charts and per-inductor breakdowns for electronics and circuit design.
About This Calculator
The Series Inductors Calculator determines the total equivalent inductance when multiple inductors are connected end-to-end in a series circuit. This is essential for electronics engineers, students, and hobbyists designing circuits with inductive components such as coils, chokes, and transformers.
When inductors are connected in series, the same current flows through each inductor, and the total inductance is simply the sum of all individual inductance values: Ltotal = L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + Ln. This additive property arises from Faraday's law of induction, where the total induced EMF across the series combination equals the sum of the EMFs induced in each inductor.
How to Use
Enter the inductance of each inductor in henrys (H) into the input fields. You can add up to 10 inductors using the + Add Inductor button and remove any inductor using the − button. Click Calculate to see the total equivalent inductance, a breakdown of each inductor's contribution, and the percentage each inductor contributes to the total. Switch between bar chart and pie chart views for visual analysis.
Applications
Series inductor combinations are used in LC filter circuits, impedance matching networks, power supply chokes, and radio frequency (RF) circuits. Understanding how inductors combine in series is fundamental to circuit analysis and design across all areas of electronics and electrical engineering.
Important Note on Mutual Inductance
This calculator assumes no magnetic coupling between inductors. In practice, when inductors are placed close together on a common core or in close proximity, mutual inductance can affect the total value. For closely coupled inductors, the total inductance is Ltotal = L1 + L2 ± 2M, where M is the mutual inductance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do inductors add in series?
When inductors are connected in series, the total inductance is the sum of all individual inductance values: L_total = L1 + L2 + ... + Ln. The same current flows through each inductor, while the voltage across each inductor depends on its individual inductance.
What is the formula for total inductance in series?
The formula for total inductance in a series circuit is L_total = L1 + L2 + L3 + ... + Ln, where L1, L2, L3, etc. are the inductance values of individual inductors in henrys (H).
What is the difference between inductors in series and parallel?
In series, the total inductance is the sum of individual values (L_total = L1 + L2 + ... + Ln). In parallel, the reciprocal of total inductance equals the sum of reciprocals (1/L_total = 1/L1 + 1/L2 + ... + 1/Ln). Series increases total inductance while parallel decreases it.
Why is the formula for series inductors the same as series resistors?
The formula is the same because both inductors in series and resistors in series follow the same additive rule. Just as voltage divides across series resistors, the induced EMF divides across series inductors while the current remains the same through each element.
What units are used for inductance?
The SI unit of inductance is the henry (H). Common subunits include millihenry (mH, 10⁻³ H), microhenry (µH, 10⁻⁶ H), and nanohenry (nH, 10⁻⁹ H). This calculator accepts values in henrys with decimal precision.
Can I calculate more than two inductors in series?
Yes, this calculator supports up to 10 inductors connected in series. You can add or remove inductors using the + and − buttons, and the total inductance updates accordingly.
What happens to the current in series inductors?
The same current flows through each inductor in a series circuit since there is only one path for current. However, the voltage (induced EMF) across each inductor depends on its individual inductance value and the rate of change of current.
Does mutual inductance affect the series inductance calculation?
This calculator assumes no mutual coupling between inductors. In real circuits, when inductors are placed close together, mutual inductance can affect the total value. For coupled inductors, the total is L_total = L1 + L2 ± 2M, where M is the mutual inductance.