
FUNDAMENTALS
OF
NETWORKS
6-3
INDUCTANCE OF
SINGLE-LAYER SOLENOIDS
tance of a single-layer solenoid is*
The approximate value of the low-frequency induc-
L
=
Fn2d
where,
L
=
inductance in microhenrys,
F
=
form factor, a function of the ratio
d/l
(value
n
=
number of turns,
d
=
diameter of coil (inches) between centers of
conductors,
1
=
length of coil (inches)
=
n
times the distance
between centers of adjacent turns.
The equation is based on the assumption of a uniform
current sheet, but the correction due to the use of
spaced round wires is usually negligible for practical
purposes. For higher frequencies, skin effect alters the
inductance slightly. This effect is not readily calculated,
but is often negligibly small. However, it must be borne
in mind that the equation gives approximately the true
value of inductance. In contrast, the apparent value is
affected by the shunting effect of the distributed capaci-
tance of
the
coil.
Example:
Required, a coil of
100
microhenrys induc-
tance, wound on a form
2
inches in diameter by
2
inches
winding length. The
dll
=
1.00, and
F
=
0.0173 in
Fig. 1.
of
F
may be read from Fig. l),
n
=
(L/Fd)”*
=
[100/(0.0173
X
2)]”2
=
54
turns
Reference to Table 1 will assist in choosing a
desirable size of wire, allowing for a suitable spacing
between turns according to the application of the coil.
A
slight correction may then be made for the increased
diameter (diameter of form, plus two times radius of
wire), if this small correction seems justified.
Approximate Equation
For single-layer solenoids of the proportions normal-
ly
used
in
radio work, the inductance in microhenrys is
given to an accuracy of about 1 percent by the formula
L
=
n2[r2/(gr
+
10Z)l
where
r
=
d/2
and the other quantities are
as
defined for
the previous inductance formula.
-
*
Equations
and
Fig.
1
are derived from equations and
tables
in
Bureau
of
Standards
Circular
No.
C74.
n
20
FOR
SOLENOIDS
WHERE
THE
DIAMETER/LENGTH
IS
LESS
THAN
0
02
USE
THE FORMULA
F
=
0
0250(DIAMETER’LENGTH)
Fig. 1. Chart showing inductance
of
a
single-layer solenoid,
form
factor
=
F
General Remarks
In the use of various charts, tables, and calculators
for designing inductors, the following relationships are
useful in extending the range of the devices. They apply
to coils of any type or design.
(A)
If all dimensions are held constant, inductance
is proportional to
n2.
(B)
If the proportions of the coil remain unchanged,
then for a given number of turns the inductance is
proportional to the dimensions of the coil.
A
coil with
all dimensions
m
times those
of
a given coil (having the
same number of turns) has
m
times the inductance of
the given coil. That is, inductance has the dimensions
of length.
Decrease
of
Solenoid
Inductance
by
Shielding*
When a solenoid
is
enclosed in a cylindrical shield,
the inductance is reduced by a factor given in Fig.
2.
This effect has been evaluated by considering the shield
*
RCA
Application Note
No.
48;
12
June
1935.