Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

Theory

Inductances in Series:
1) Cumulative Coupling:
Consider 2 coils connected in series, so that the current flowing
through 2 coils are same and in the same direction in order to
produce flux in same direction. Such connection of 2 coils is known
as Cumulative Coupling.

When the current flows through the coils and changes with time,
The self induced emf in coil 1 is given by,
- L1

Similarly, the self induced emf in coil 2 is given by,

- L2

Here, Negative sign shows that the emf induced opposes its cause.
As the two coils are sufficiently close to each other, there will be
mutual inductance between them.
So, Mutually induced emf in coil 1 due to current flowing in coil 2 is
given by,
-M

Similarly, mutually induced emf in coil 2 due to current flowing in coil

1 is given by,
1

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

-M

Theory

If we add up all the induced emf in both the coil, we get the total
induced emf as,
V = -(L1 + L2 + 2M)
Let
So,

L = (L1 + L2 + 2M)
V = -L

Remember This:
When the mutual inductance aids the self inductance, the equivalent
inductance is given by,
L = (L1 + L2 + 2M)
2) Differential Coupling:
Consider 2 coils connected in series but unlike cumulative
coupling. Here, the direction of current flowing in coil 2 is opposite to
that of current flowing in coil 1. As shown in fig,

This type of coupling of 2 coils is called as Differential Coupling.

Here, the flux produced in both the coils are in opposite direction and
hence, the mutual inductance opposes self inductance.
The total emf induced in both the coils due to current o flowing through
them is given by,
2

Coupled Circuits

V = -L1

Series & Parallel Inductance

L2

+ 2M

V = -( L1 + L2 - 2M)

Theory

Let, L = (L1 + L2 - 2M)

Therefore, V = -L

Remember This:
When the mutual inductance opposes self inductance, the equivalent
inductance is given by,
L = (L1 + L2 - 2M)
Thats all for the inductances in series.
Now, lets go for,

Inductances in Parallel:
Just like inductances in series, here also we have two types of
coupling i.e. Cumulative coupling and Differential coupling. But in this
case the coils are in Parallel combination.
1. Cumulative Coupling:
Consider 2 coils, coil 1 and coil 2 connected in parallel combination
in such a manner that the current flowing through them is in same
direction.
This type of coupling in parallel combination of 2 coils is called
Cumulative Coupling.

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

Theory

So, the self induced emf in coil 1 due to current I, flowing through it
is given by,
- L1

Similarly, the self induced emf in coil 2 due to current i2 flowing

through it is given by,
- L2

Mutually induced emf in coil 1 due to current i2 flowing in coil 2 is

given by,
-M

Mutually induced emf in coil 2 due to current i1 flowing in coil 1 is

given by,
-M

So, the total induced emf in coil 1 is given by,

- L1

-M

Similarly, the total induced emf in coil 2 is given by,

- L2

-M

We know, that the voltage across the two parallel terminal is same
Ex:-

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

Theory

Similarly, the emf is induced in both the coils are same as the coils
are connected in parallel.
- L1

-M

(L1 - M)

= - L2

= (L2 - M)

-M

(2 ) 2
(1 )

Let, i = i1 + i2

So,

=
=

( ) 2
(1 + 2
)
(1 )

1 + 2 2

----(1)

Let L be the equivalent inductance of the parallel combination, than

the induced emf is given by,
V = -L

As the induced emf in parallel combination is same as induced emf

in anyone coil,
L

= L1
=

L1

+M

2
1

+ 2
5

-------(2)

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

Theory

Substituting (1) in (2)

1 + 2 2

L=

2
1

+ 2

1 2 +
1

1 + 2 2
1

L=

1 2 2
1 +2 2

This is the equivalent inductance when two coils are cumulatively

coupled in parallel combination.
2. Differential Coupling:
Consider 2 coils, coil 1 and coil 2 connected parallel in such a
way that the current flowing through them are in opposite direction
as shown in figure,

Here the flux produced in both the coils, are in opposite direction
as shown in figure. So the mutual inductance opposes self
inductance.
Self induced emf in coil 1 due to current i1 is given by,

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

- L1

Theory

Self induced emf in coil 2 due to current i2 is given by,

- L2

Mutually induced emf in coil 1 due to current i2 flowing in coil 2 is

given by,
+M

Mutually induced emf in coil 2 due to current i1 flowing in coil 1 is

given by,
+M

So the total induced emf in coil 1 due to self and mutual

inductance is given by,
- L1

+M

Similarly, the total induced emf in coil 2 is given by,

- L2

+M

Now as both the coils are connected parallel the total emf induced
in both the coils must be equal,
- L1
L1

+M

+M

(L1 + M)

= - L2
= L2

+M

= (L2 + M)
2 + 2
1 +

Let i = i1 + i2

+M
2

Coupled Circuits

Series & Parallel Inductance

1 + 2 + 2

Theory

1 +

-------(3)

Let L be the equivalent inductance of the parallel combination then

the induced emf is given as,
V = -L

Now as the induced emf in parallel combination is same as

induced emf in anyone coil,
L

=
=

L1

Put (3) in (4)

-M

1 +

1 + 2 + 2

1 +

L=

2 +

2 +
1 +

-------(4)

1 2 2
1 +2 +2

This is the expression for equivalent inductance of 2 coils

connected in parallel in differential coupled manner.
NOTE:
For detail steps of above derivation checkout the similar derivation
in cumulative coupling of inductances in parallel.