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L E T S I N V E S T I G AT E

Open-ended investigations that really work, with enough detail to start and nish a class.

Six ways to measure inductance


The following experiments generate highly consistent results with those obtained from theoretical predictions employing formulas derived from Faradays law, the BiotSavart law and Amp` res e law. They not only draw on the above theoretical concepts in electromagnetism that enable pupils to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic, but also provide them with ample opportunities to use the CRO for measurements of voltage, time difference, rate of change of current and decay rate. Undoubtedly, these laboratory exercises, if used as project investigations, will enhance pupils laboratory and problem-solving skills. Five easily available inductors with different orders of magnitude are used as specimen samples

Figure 1. The choke of a 65 W uorescent lamp.

Figure 2. Geometry of the solenoid.

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Table 1. Sample inductors. Sample A Type Choke of a 65 W, 220 V uorescent lamp with siliconiron core Close-wound, single-layer, air-cored solenoid Close-wound, single-layer, rectangular cross-section, wooden-cored toroid Circular wire loop Coaxial cable Dimensions External dimension of buckle-shaped core about 2.5 cm 4 cm 12 cm (gure 1) l = 0.28 m, r = 4.18 cm and N = 493 (gure 2) a = 18.7 mm, b = 23.6 mm, h = 17.4 mm and N = 193 (gure 3) l = 1.0 m and d = 0.6 mm (gure 4) a = 0.3 mm, b = 2.2 mm and l = 3.06 m (gure 5) Calculated value (except sample A) 0.61.0 H at 50 Hz (printed on the case) 5.26 0.21 mH 30.2 0.6 H 1.67 0.05 H 1.22 0.04 H

B C

D E

The approximate value of sample A is printed on the case. The theoretical values of samples BE are calculated using the following formulas in SI units. The percentage error in each case is obtained by assuming a 1% error in length measurement and a 1% error in the formula, except for the circular wire loop. For the solenoid [1] L (in H) = For the toroid [2] L (in H) = 0 N 2 h b ln = 30.2 0.6 H. 2 a r 2N 2 104 H = 5.26 0.21 mH. 2.54(9r + 10l)

For the circular loop, we are unable to nd a formula to calculate the inductance; the inductance per unit length of a straight wire [3] is used. The calculated result is a slight overestimation because the ux produced by any small arc segment tends to cancel, to some extent, the ux produced by the arc subtended by the opposite angle: L (in H) = For the coaxial cable [4] L (in H) = 0 l b ln 2 a = 1.22 0.04 H. 0 l 7 8l ln 2 d 4 = 1.67 0.05 H.

Figure 4. Geometry of the wire loop. Figure 3. Geometry of the toroid.

(table 1). With the exception of the last method, which is applicable to inductance down to 1 H, all the methods can be used for L > 10 H. Also, the

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Figure 6. Circuit for method 1. Comparison of voltages VZ and VL (or VR ).

Theory and result From VL = I XL , VL = VZ L = Z VZ L R2 + (L)2 VZ L. (1) R

By measurement from the CRO,


Figure 5. (a) Conguration of a coaxial cable. (b) Coaxial cable with core and outer mesh connected together at one end.

VL = 0.42 0.01 V,

VZ = 6.00 0.10 V

= 2f = 2 (50.0 0.05) kHz rst three methods are applicable only when the resistance of the inductor is negligible compared with its reactance within the working frequency range, that is when L r. and the multimeter R = 23.97 0.02 k and r = 12 R.

The error contribution comes mainly from voltage measurements and adds up to about 4%. Substitute measured values of V and R into (1), giving L= VL R = 5.34 0.20 mH. VZ

Method 1. Comparison of voltages across R and Z in a LR circuit


1. Measure the resistance r of the inductor (e.g. solenoid) using a multimeter. 2. Connect the solenoid, L, in series with a resistor, R, and a signal generator (SG) with sinusoidal output set at a convenient frequency f (gure 6). To simplify our calculation, (2f ) and R are chosen such that R L r or L R r. In our case, the rst inequality is employed with R = 24 k (5%) and f = 50 kHz because the maximum frequency is limited by the SG at 110 kHz. 3. Use the CRO to measure the peak-to-peak voltage across Z (VZ ) and R (VR ).

Method 2. Measurement of difference in zero-crossings of VR and VZ in an LR circuit


1. Measure the resistance r of the inductor (e.g. the toroid) using a multimeter. The result shows r < 1.0 . 2. Connect the toroid, L, in series with a resistor, R, and a signal generator with sinusoidal output set at frequency f (gure 7(a)). By the same token as the solenoid, = 2f and R are chosen such that R L r. In our case, we choose R = 200 (5%) and f = 100 kHz.
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T = (7.5 0.1) 0.02 s = 0.15 0.002 s. Therefore, from (4) L = 30.1 0.5 H. The measured should be slightly larger than its true value due to the neglect of r, but this systematic error will introduce an overestimation of L by no more than 0.1%.

Method 3. Measurement of VZ and slope of the VR trace in a LR circuit


1. Connect the circuit as shown in gure 8 by interchanging the positions of the resistor and the inductor (the toroid) in gure 7(a). 2. Use a CRO to display the voltage traces across Z (VZ ) and L (VL ). Adjust the zero level of both traces so that they coincide with one another and the zero line of the screen. 3. Increase the sensitivity of the V -gain of the VZ trace and the sweep frequency until the curve appears as an inclined straight line across the whole screen (gure 9). 4. Adjust the voltage output of the SG to obtain convenient values for slope measurement. Measure the slope of the VZ trace and the amplitude of the VL trace. Theory and result By denition, di = VL dt L dVR = VL . R dt L

Figure 7. (a) Circuit for method 2: measurement of difference in zero-crossings. (b) Phase relation between VL and VR .

3. Use a CRO to display the voltage traces across Z (VZ ) and R (VR ). Adjust the zero level of both traces so that they coincide with one another and the zero line of the screen. 4. Increase the sensitivity of the sweep time and V -gain until the largest possible separation of the zero-crossings, T , can be seen clearly. Check zero levels again if necessary. Record T. Theory and result From the vector diagram shown in gure 7(b), tan = For small , tan = T . Eliminate from (2) and (3), L = R T. Actual measurement shows R = 200.5 0.05
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VL L = VR R

(2)

(3)

(4)

Figure 8. Circuit for method 3.

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Figure 9. Measurement of slope of VZ trace.

For R L, Z = R 2 + (L)2 R and VZ VR . Replacing VR by VZ , and taking maximum value for both sides of the equation, L= RVL |max . (dVZ /dt)|max (5)

Figure 10. Circuit to show the decay curve in an LR loop.

Substituting R = 200.5 0.1) 50 mV and dVR dt


max

, VL |max = (2.9
Figure 11. The initial V t trace (the lower portion is distorted in an actual experiment).

300 3 mV 300 3 ns

= (1.00 0.02) 106 V s1 into equation (3), L = 29.1 1.8 H.

Method 4. Measurement of decay constant in a discharging LR loop


This method is suitable for measurement of inductance larger than 10 H with little restriction to the internal resistance r of the inductor, as long as L/r is within the measurable time range of the CRO. The choke of a 65 W uorescent lamp will be used to illustrate how this can be done. 1. Connect the circuit as shown in gure 10. A square wave output is desirable but not essential for charging the inductor. A convenient value for the external resistor is R0 = 200 (5%) . 2. Obtain a V t trace across the resistor R0 (gure 11).
Figure 12. The decaying portion of the V t trace.

3. Adjust the x-shift, y-shift, V -gain and timebase of the CRO until a signicant portion of the decay curve is displayed on the screen (gure 12). If a sine wave from a low voltage power supply is used, only the lower portion of the decay curve is suitable for measurement. Record the zero level and the half-life of the trace. 4. Disconnect the circuit and measure the total resistance of the discharge loop.
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Theory and result The inductor is charged by the SG and discharged through R0 periodically in the above circuit. In the reverse-bias half-cycle, the connection to the source is cut off. The collapsing magnetic eld in the coil generates an induced emf and produces a transient current in the upper LR loop. By Kirchhoffs law, L di + iR = 0 dt

where R is the total resistance in the discharge loop. Solving this equation, i = i0 e L t
R

or

V = iR0 = V0 e L t .
R

By direct measurement R = R0 + r = 213 0.2


1 When V = 2 V0 , T1/2 = 2.0 0.1 ms, 1 2

Figure 13. (a) Circuit for method 5: measurement of resonance frequency. (b) Phase relation of VR , VL and VC in a RLC series circuit.

. When the frequency of the source is equal to the resonance frequency, i.e. 1 = LC (6)

= e L T1/2
R

or

ln 2 =

R T1/2 . L

Therefore L= R T1/2 = 615 31 mH. ln 2

a maximum current will ow in the circuit, giving rise to VR = I R = VZ R VZ R= . Z R2 + r 2

Method 5. Measurement of resonance frequency = 1/ LC with a driver source


1. Connect the circuit as shown in gure 13(a). 2. Change the supply frequency and observe variations in the VR and V2 traces. 3. Adjust for maximum amplitude of the VR trace and record the supply frequency. 4. Measure the value of C using standard methods, if necessary. Theory and result The current in a RLC circuit is I= VZ = Z VZ (R + r)2 + (L 1/C)2

If C and R are chosen such that 1/C R at the resonance frequency, VC is approximately equal to V2 . From the phasor diagram of voltage vectors (gure 13(b)), VR and V2 (VC ) should be almost 90 out of phase. This condition provides a double check to ensure that the variation in VR is not caused by variations in the output voltage due to changes in loading of the SG. Substitute measured results, C = 1.00 0.02 F and = 2f = 2 (2.20 0.01) kHz, into equation (6): L= 1 (2 2.20 103 )2 1.00 106 = 5.23 0.15 mH.
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where r is the resistance of the inductor.


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Figure 14. Circuit to generate electrical resonance in an isolated LC loop.

Method 6. Measurement of resonance frequency = 1/ LC by natural oscillation


When the target inductance is below 10 H, the stray inductance in connecting wires and wirewound resistors may introduce a sizable error in inductance measurement. This error can be minimized by soldering the inductor, say a single wire loop (sample D) or a few metres of coaxial cable (sample E), directly to the leads of a known capacitor. The capacitor is then charged with a periodic pulse and the frequency of natural oscillation of the isolated LC loop is measured during the discharging half-cycle [5]. 1. Measure the capacitance of C2 , if necessary. 2. Connect the circuit as shown in gure 14. 3. Adjust the frequency and voltage of the square wave generator and the resistance of the rheostat until the trace of an underdamped electrical LC oscillation is observed on the CRO screen. 4. Record the frequency of oscillation. Theory and result The circuit can be divided into three parts. Part A, a differential circuit made up of C1 and R1 , converts the square wave from the SG into sharp pulses. Part C is the LC loop. By adjusting the output voltage of the SG and/or R1 , C2 is charged to some convenient value below 0.6 V in the charging cycle. It is isolated by the diode in Part B from the rest of the circuit and oscillates with its natural frequency in the discharging half-cycle.
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By measurement, C2 = 0.31 0.01 F. For the 1 m wire loop fwl = (2.40 0.05) 105 Hz, 1 Lwl = 2 C 1 = 5 )2 0.31 106 (2 2.40 10 = 1.42 0.11 H For the 3 m coaxial cable fcc = (2.60 0.05) 105 Hz, 1 Lwl = 2 C 1 = (2 2.60 105 )2 0.31 106 = 1.21 0.10 H.

References
[1] Jordan E C 1985 Reference Data for Engineers: Radio, Electronics, Computer and Communications 7th edn (Indianapolis: Howard W Sams) ch 6-2 [2] Resnick R and Halliday D 1966 Physics (New York: Wiley) p 902 [3] Harnwell G P 1949 Principles of Electricity and Electromagnetism (New York: McGraw-Hill) p 330 [4] Johnk C T A 1988 Engineering Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (New York: Wiley) p 303 [5] Mak S Y 1994 The RLC circuit and the determination of inductance Phys. Educ. 29 pp 947

Se-yuen Mak Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong E-mail: symak@cuhk.edu.hk
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