Inductive Reactance

Experiment no. ___

Objectives
1. Describe the action of an inductor when its current is changed by an external
circuit.
2. Relate the three variables of induced voltage, inductance, and rate of change of
current.
Introduction
An inductor is essentially an electromagnet. It has a multiturn winding wrapped
around a core. When current flows through the winding, it creates a magnetic field in the
core material.
An inductor is different from an electromagnet only in its application.
Electromagnets ae used to produce mechanical force. The solenoid-operated valve and
the moving-coil loudspeaker are typical examples. However, inductors are not used to
produce mechanical force; their action is strictly electrical.
Inductor has the property of inductance. Inductance is a quality that tends to
prevent current from changing. It induces voltage vL with the polarity to maintain the
current at a constant value for just an instant after a switching action. The time rate of
change of current is proportional to voltage,
i

v L L

In an inductive ac circuit, current and voltage are 90 o out of phase, with

current lagging voltage.
Energy in the inductor is temporarily stored in the magnetic field during one
quarter cycle, but is then returned to the source during the next quarter cycle.
The inductive reactance is the resistance offered by inductor to AC, and its
reactance is affected by frequency of the signal. Its formula is
X L 2fL
Tools and Equipment
(1) Oscilloscope
(1) Function Generator
(1) VOM (AC Voltmeter)
(1) AC Ammeter
(1) Electronic Lab Console
Parts Needed
(1) 10 k brw.blk.org
(1) set of connecting wires
Procedure
1. Set up the circuit of Figure 1.
2. Set the Function Generator to 4 Vpp, 100 Hz.

Figure 1 Measuring AC Current in Inductive Circuit

3. Do and record your data in Table 1.

Frequency (Hz)
VR
VL
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

I measured

Table 1 Current in Inductive Circuit with Frequency Varied

VL
and fill up I calculated in Table 1.
XL
5. Plot VL against frequency and Imeasured (or Icalculated) against frequency.

4. Use the formula I

I calculated