I.

Introduction

An inductor is a passive electronic component that exhibits inductance. Inductance is

defined as an effect which is the result of the magnetic field that is formed around a current
carrying conductor. An inductor can store energy in its magnetic field, and an inductor tends
to resist any change in the amount of current flowing through it.

A fluorescent lamps ballast works like an inductor. A basic inductor consists of a coil of
wire in a circuit, which may be wound around a piece of metal. When you send electrical
current through a wire, it generates a magnetic field. Positioning the wire in concentric loops
amplifies this field. This sort of field affects not only objects around the loop, but also the
loop itself. Increasing the current in the loop increases the magnetic field, which applies a
voltage opposite the flow of current in the wire. In short, a coiled length of wire in a circuit
(an inductor) opposes change in the current flowing through. The transformer elements in
the magnetic ballast use this principle to regulate the current in a fluorescent lamp.

In this study, three ballasts with different specifications will serve as the primary
components of the Inductor Module. The values of the ballasts are 1 H, 2 H, and 3 H.

A. Objectives

1. To familiarize with the behavior and characteristics of an inductor.

2. To study the relationship of an inductor with the voltage and current of a
circuit.
3. To measure and analyze the response of the inductor in an AC circuit.

B. Significance of the Study

The Inductor Module study aims to come up with a laboratory equipment to

be utilized during experiments requiring the use of an inductor. This Inductor
Module is made up of three ballasts acting as inductors that provide three different
and specific values namely: 1 H, 2 H, and 3H.

C. Limitations

This Inductor Module poses certain limitations with regards to the study and
analysis of inductors, its characteristics, and functions. There are four factors
affecting the capacity of an inductor- number of coils, the material of the core, the
cross-sectional area of the core, and the length of the coil. Since ballasts are used as
inductors, the four factors cannot be changed or altered to observe the effects of
such changes on the performance of the inductor. Also, only three inductors in fixed
values (1 H, 2 H, and 3 H) are available. In addition, there are many types of
inductors with specific functions. This Inductor Module consisting of ballasts
powering fluorescent lamps only function as chokes that allow DC to pass easily, but,
when AC is applied, create an opposition to current flow that increases, as the
frequency of the alternating current increases.