Apr 21,2023

Coils in series and parallel applications

Coils are a common component in electrical circuits that are used for various purposes, including energy transfer, voltage regulation, and signal filtering. When multiple coils are used in a circuit, they can be connected in series or parallel to achieve different electrical properties.

Connecting coils in series means that the current flows through each coil in turn, with the output of one coil becoming the input of the next. This configuration results in a total inductance that is equal to the sum of the individual inductances, and a total resistance that is equal to the sum of the individual resistances. Connecting coils in series can be useful in applications where a high total inductance is desired, such as in power supply circuits, where it is used to smooth out voltage fluctuations.

On the other hand, connecting coils in parallel means that the current is divided among each coil, with each coil receiving a portion of the total current. This configuration results in a total inductance that is less than the individual inductances, and a total resistance that is less than the smallest individual resistance. Connecting coils in parallel can be useful in applications where a low total inductance is desired, such as in audio filtering circuits.

In summary, connecting coils in series increases the total inductance and resistance, while connecting coils in parallel decreases the total inductance and resistance. The choice of whether to connect coils in series or parallel depends on the specific requirements of the circuit being designed.