Jun 07,2023
How Coils Store Energy?
Coils, also known as inductors, store energy in the form of magnetic fields. When an electric current flows through a coil, a magnetic field is created around it. This magnetic field stores energy, which can be released later.
The energy storage in a coil can be understood by considering Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. According to this law, a change in the magnetic field through a coil induces an electromotive force (EMF) and generates a current in the coil. The induced EMF is directly proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field.
When a current passes through a coil, it creates a magnetic field that expands and collapses as the current changes. The energy is stored in the magnetic field as a result of the work done to establish and maintain the field. This energy is proportional to the square of the current flowing through the coil and the inductance of the coil itself.
When the current flowing through the coil is interrupted, the magnetic field collapses, releasing the stored energy. This can result in a voltage spike across the coil, which can be used for various purposes such as inductive kickback protection, energy transfer, or generating high voltages.
Inductors are commonly used in electronic circuits for energy storage and filtering. They are often employed in combination with capacitors to create resonant circuits, oscillators, or to smooth out voltage and current fluctuations.
In summary, coils or inductors store energy in the form of magnetic fields generated by the flow of electric current through them. The energy is stored in the magnetic field and can be released when the current is interrupted.
