How do Inductors Work?
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Whereas a resistor opposes (restricts) a flow of current, an inductor opposes a change of flow of current.
So, it allows the current to flow freely, but it will not let the current flow change rapidly. There is a delay and the change occurs more slowly than it would if the inductor were not in circuit.
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A small inductor might look very much like a resistor. It will measure almost short-circuit because it is simply a few turns of wire.
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Larger inductors can be seen to be coils of copper wire insulated with varnish
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Inductors with even more turns are often called "chokes".
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Some inductors have an opaque insulating sleeve. This sleeve is made from polyolefin which shrinks when heated.
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This is a high frequency coil from a radio
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A tiny coil with a metal screening can and an adjustable screw core
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A small coil with a metal screening can and an adjustable screw core
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A small coil without a screening can
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A toroidal inductor is very efficient and does not radiate very much energy
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A larger choke is wound on soft iron laminations in the shape of "E" and "I".
This one looks very much like a transformer but is clearly a choke since it has only two connections. A transformer needs at least three.
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A screw core made of compressed powdered iron called "ferrite"
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