What is Inductance Measured In? – Henrys & More

Inductance, a fundamental property in electrical circuits, plays a crucial role in energy storage, similar to how a capacitor stores energy in an electric field. The practical unit used to quantify inductance is the Henry (H), named after Joseph Henry, the American scientist who independently discovered electromagnetic induction. An inductor, an electronic component exhibiting inductance, opposes changes in current flow; thus, when analyzing circuits, it is essential to know what is inductance measured in to understand its impact on circuit behavior. Furthermore, precise measurement of inductance often requires specialized instruments like LCR meters, ensuring accuracy in various applications.

Unveiling the Mystery of Inductance and the Legacy of Henry

Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. In essence, inductance is the measure of a circuit’s opposition to changes in current.

This seemingly simple definition belies a world of complexity and utility, underpinning technologies from power supplies to radio communications. This section will delve into the foundational aspects of inductance. We will introduce its significance and touch upon the pioneering work of Joseph Henry, the scientist whose name is forever linked to this essential electrical characteristic.

The Significance of Inductance

Inductance is not merely an academic curiosity; it is a cornerstone of modern electronics. Its ability to resist current fluctuations makes it invaluable in a variety of applications. Consider these key roles:

• Energy Storage: Inductors, the physical components embodying inductance, can store energy in the form of a magnetic field. This stored energy can then be released back into the circuit as needed, providing a crucial function in power conversion and regulation.
• Filtering: Inductors, often working in conjunction with capacitors, form filters that selectively allow certain frequencies to pass while blocking others. This is critical in audio systems, radio receivers, and many other signal processing applications.
• Resonant Circuits: Inductance and capacitance together create resonant circuits. These circuits are tuned to specific frequencies and are fundamental to radio transmission, wireless communication, and many types of sensors.

Without inductance, many of the electronic devices we rely on daily would be impossible to create.

Joseph Henry: A Pioneer of Electromagnetism

The story of inductance is inextricably linked to the work of Joseph Henry (1797-1878), an American scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of electromagnetism.

Henry, independently of Michael Faraday, discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. This is the principle that a changing magnetic field induces a voltage in a nearby conductor. His experiments and observations laid the groundwork for understanding how inductors function and how they can be used in electrical circuits.

While Faraday is often credited with the discovery of electromagnetic induction (due to earlier publication), Henry’s work was equally significant. His contributions are honored by the adoption of the Henry (H) as the SI unit of inductance.

The Henry: Quantifying Inductance

The Henry (H) provides a standardized way to quantify inductance. One Henry is defined as the amount of inductance that will produce one volt of electromotive force (EMF) when the current flowing through the circuit changes at a rate of one ampere per second.

This unit allows engineers and scientists to precisely describe and design circuits that rely on the properties of inductance. The Henry provides a critical link between theoretical understanding and practical application. It allows for the calculation and creation of components that will operate within carefully defined parameters.

It is through this quantifiable measure that we can fully harness the power of inductance and continue to advance electronic technologies.

The Foundation: Electromagnetic Induction and Lenz’s Law

Unveiling the Mystery of Inductance and the Legacy of Henry
Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. In essence, inductance is the measure of a circuit’s ability to oppose changes in current, a seemingly simple definition that belies a rich underlying physics. Before we can delve into the intricacies of inductance itself, we must first lay a solid groundwork by exploring the foundational principles that govern its behavior: electromagnetic induction, magnetic flux, and the vital constraint imposed by Lenz’s Law. These concepts are not merely theoretical abstractions; they are the bedrock upon which our understanding of inductance is built.

Electromagnetic Induction: The Spark of Inductance

At the heart of inductance lies the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, a process where a changing magnetic field induces a voltage in a circuit. This principle, discovered independently by Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry, is the engine that drives inductive effects.

Imagine a coil of wire exposed to a varying magnetic field. This varying field, perhaps created by a changing current in a nearby circuit, interacts with the coil.

The interaction forces electrons within the wire to move, generating a voltage, also known as electromotive force (EMF). The magnitude of this induced voltage is directly proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field and the number of turns in the coil. A faster change or more turns means a greater induced voltage.

This induced voltage is not merely a passive response; it actively opposes the change in current that created it, a crucial aspect dictated by Lenz’s Law.

Magnetic Flux: Quantifying the Magnetic Field

To fully grasp electromagnetic induction, we must understand magnetic flux. Magnetic flux is a measure of the quantity of magnetic field lines passing through a given area.

It is essentially a way to quantify the "amount" of magnetic field interacting with a circuit. The greater the magnetic flux through a coil, the stronger the induced EMF when that flux changes.

Inductance, in its essence, is directly related to the magnetic flux generated by a current. A circuit with high inductance produces a large amount of magnetic flux for a given current, and conversely, is more sensitive to changes in flux.

Therefore, a circuit with high inductance will generate a larger voltage in response to changes in current.

Changes in magnetic flux are what induce a voltage, leading to the energy storage and other behaviors characteristic of inductors.

Lenz’s Law: Opposition to Change

Lenz’s Law provides the critical piece to understanding how inductance actively affects a circuit. It states that the induced EMF in any circuit is always in a direction that opposes the change in magnetic flux that produced it.

In simpler terms, the induced voltage attempts to maintain the existing current, resisting any increase or decrease.

This opposition is fundamental to the behavior of inductors. When current tries to increase, the inductor generates a voltage that pushes back, slowing the rate of increase.

Conversely, when the current tries to decrease, the inductor generates a voltage that tries to maintain the current, slowing the rate of decrease.

This opposition to change is the defining characteristic of inductance and the reason it is used in various applications, such as filtering and energy storage.

Visualizing the Principles

Consider a simple circuit with a coil of wire connected to a power source. When the power source is turned on, the current through the coil begins to increase.

As the current increases, it creates a magnetic field around the coil. This changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the coil itself (self-inductance).

Lenz’s Law dictates that this induced voltage opposes the increasing current, preventing it from rising instantaneously.

Instead, the current rises gradually, as the induced voltage counteracts the applied voltage. When the power source is turned off, the current begins to decrease.

The decreasing current causes the magnetic field to collapse, which again induces a voltage in the coil. This time, the induced voltage opposes the decreasing current, trying to keep it flowing.

This is why inductors can cause sparks when a circuit is broken – the inductor is attempting to maintain the current flow even after the power is removed.

Understanding these three fundamental principles—electromagnetic induction, magnetic flux, and Lenz’s Law—is critical to unlocking the behavior of inductance in electrical circuits. They provide the theoretical framework that allows us to predict and control how inductors will respond to changes in current, setting the stage for exploring more advanced concepts, like self and mutual inductance.

Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. Now that we’ve established the underlying principles, let’s differentiate between the two primary ways inductance manifests itself: self-inductance and mutual inductance.

Two Sides of the Same Coin: Self-Inductance vs. Mutual Inductance

While both self-inductance and mutual inductance stem from the same electromagnetic principles, they describe different inductive phenomena within electrical circuits. Understanding the distinction is crucial for analyzing and designing complex circuits involving inductive components.

Self-Inductance: The Single Coil’s Opposition to Change

Self-inductance is the inherent property of any coil of wire to oppose changes in the current flowing through it.

This opposition arises because a changing current creates a changing magnetic field, which in turn induces a voltage (EMF) in the same coil that opposes the original current change.

This induced voltage acts as a sort of "electrical inertia," resisting any attempt to quickly increase or decrease the current. The magnitude of self-inductance, typically denoted by ‘L,’ depends on the coil’s geometry (number of turns, coil area, length) and the permeability of the core material.

Think of it as a single entity resisting its own change.

Mutual Inductance: The Interplay Between Coils

Mutual inductance, on the other hand, describes the inductive relationship between two or more separate coils.

Here, a changing current in one coil (the primary coil) creates a changing magnetic field that induces a voltage in the nearby secondary coil(s). The strength of this induced voltage depends on the mutual inductance (denoted by ‘M’) between the coils, which is influenced by their relative positions, orientations, number of turns, and the permeability of the intervening medium.

The closer and better aligned the coils, and the higher the permeability of the core, the greater the mutual inductance.

Mutual inductance is key for energy transfer.

Applications of Self- and Mutual Inductance: From Filtering to Power Conversion

Both self- and mutual inductance find extensive use in various electrical and electronic circuits.

Self-inductance is crucial in inductors used for filtering, energy storage, and creating resonant circuits. For example, inductors are used in power supplies to smooth out voltage fluctuations and in radio tuners to select specific frequencies.

Mutual inductance is the cornerstone of transformers, which are used to step up or step down AC voltages. In a transformer, the primary coil induces a voltage in the secondary coil, with the voltage ratio determined by the turns ratio between the coils. Mutual inductance is also exploited in wireless power transfer systems, where energy is transferred between two coils without a direct electrical connection.

Consider the importance of signal manipulation.

By understanding the nuances of self- and mutual inductance, engineers can effectively harness these phenomena to design efficient and reliable circuits for a wide range of applications.

The Henry Explained: Defining the Unit of Inductance

[Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. Now that we’ve established the underlying principles, let’s differentiate between the two primary ways indu…]

Having understood the fundamentals of inductance, electromagnetic induction, and Lenz’s Law, it’s crucial to define exactly how we quantify this property. The Henry (H), named in honor of Joseph Henry, serves as the SI unit of inductance. This section will dissect the Henry, explore its sub-units, and reveal its relationship with other electrical units.

Defining the Henry (H)

The formal definition of the Henry is: one Henry is the inductance that produces an electromotive force (EMF) of one volt when the current changes at a rate of one ampere per second.

This definition can be expressed mathematically as:

V = L (dI/dt)

Where:

• V is the induced voltage in volts.
• L is the inductance in Henries.
• dI/dt is the rate of change of current in amperes per second.

In essence, the Henry measures a coil’s ability to generate a voltage in response to a changing current. A larger Henry value indicates a greater capacity to generate voltage for a given change in current.

Millihenry (mH) and Microhenry (µH): Practical Sub-Units

While the Henry is the standard unit, practical applications often involve much smaller values of inductance. This is where sub-units like the millihenry (mH) and microhenry (µH) come into play.

• Millihenry (mH): One millihenry is equal to one-thousandth of a Henry (1 mH = 0.001 H or 10^-3 H). Millihenries are commonly used in intermediate frequency (IF) transformers, power supplies, and some audio circuits.

• Microhenry (µH): One microhenry is equal to one-millionth of a Henry (1 µH = 0.000001 H or 10^-6 H). Microhenries are frequently encountered in radio frequency (RF) circuits, high-speed digital circuits, and impedance matching networks.

Choosing the appropriate unit (H, mH, or µH) simplifies calculations and provides a more intuitive understanding of the inductance value in a given application. Using µH is generally more appropriate for RF circuits where parasitic inductance is more likely to affect circuit performance.

The Henry and Other Electrical Units: A Web of Relationships

The Henry isn’t an isolated unit; it’s intricately linked to other fundamental electrical units like volts, amperes, ohms, and farads.

Understanding these connections is crucial for a holistic view of circuit behavior. The equation V = L (dI/dt) highlights the relationship between Henries (L), volts (V), amperes (I), and seconds (t).

Furthermore, in AC circuits, inductive reactance (X_L), the opposition to current flow caused by inductance, is directly related to the inductance (L) and the frequency (f) of the AC signal:

X<sub>L</sub> = 2πfL

This equation demonstrates how inductance, along with frequency, determines the reactance of an inductor, impacting impedance and current flow in AC circuits. You can see here how the inductance expressed in Henries relates to frequency measured in Hertz.

Through these equations, it becomes clear that the Henry is not just a measure of inductance, but a key element in the interconnected web of electrical quantities that govern circuit behavior.

Inductors: The Physical Embodiment of Inductance

[The Henry Explained: Defining the Unit of Inductance]
Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. Now that we’ve established the underlying principles, let’s transition from the theoretical to the tangible and explore inductors, the physical components that bring the concept of inductance to life in our circuits.

Inductors are more than just coils of wire; they are carefully engineered components designed to exhibit a specific inductance value. They serve as the physical manifestation of the inductive properties we have discussed.

What is an Inductor?

At its core, an inductor is a passive electronic component, typically consisting of a coil of wire. This coil is designed to create a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. The key characteristic of an inductor is its ability to oppose changes in current due to the induced voltage created by the changing magnetic field.

This ability makes inductors invaluable in a wide range of applications, including:

• Energy storage
• Filtering
• Signal processing

Types of Inductors: A Diverse Landscape

Inductors come in various forms, each tailored for specific applications and frequency ranges. The primary differences lie in the core material used and the physical construction of the coil. Here are some common types:

Air-Core Inductors

Air-core inductors, as the name suggests, use air as their core material. They are typically used in high-frequency applications where low core losses are crucial.

They are characterized by:

• Relatively low inductance values.
• High Q-factors (a measure of an inductor’s efficiency).
• Minimal core saturation.

Ferrite-Core Inductors

Ferrite-core inductors utilize ferrite, a ceramic material with magnetic properties, as their core. This significantly increases their inductance compared to air-core inductors.

They are commonly used in:

• Power supplies.
• Radio frequency (RF) circuits.
• Applications requiring higher inductance values in a compact size.

However, ferrite-core inductors are prone to saturation at higher currents, limiting their use in certain applications.

Toroidal Inductors

Toroidal inductors feature a coil wound around a donut-shaped core, typically made of ferrite or powdered iron. This design provides excellent magnetic field containment, minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Benefits include:

• High inductance values.
• Low EMI.
• Efficient energy storage.

They are frequently found in:

• Power filtering circuits.
• EMI suppression applications.

Factors Influencing Inductance: Designing for Purpose

The inductance value of an inductor is not arbitrary; it is precisely determined by several key factors related to its physical construction. Understanding these factors allows engineers to design inductors with specific performance characteristics:

Number of Turns (N)

The number of turns in the coil is perhaps the most direct determinant of inductance.

Inductance is proportional to the square of the number of turns (L ∝ N²).

This means doubling the number of turns quadruples the inductance, assuming other factors remain constant.

Core Material (µ)

The core material significantly affects the magnetic permeability of the inductor.

Higher permeability materials (like ferrite) concentrate the magnetic field more effectively, resulting in a higher inductance for a given number of turns.

Coil Geometry

The shape and dimensions of the coil, including its length and diameter, play a crucial role.

A shorter, wider coil generally has a lower inductance than a longer, narrower coil with the same number of turns and core material.

Spacing Between Turns

The spacing between the turns of the coil also influences inductance.

Tightly wound coils generally exhibit higher inductance compared to coils with significant spacing between turns.

Inductance in Action: Reactance and Impedance in AC Circuits

[Inductors: The Physical Embodiment of Inductance
[The Henry Explained: Defining the Unit of Inductance]
Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its impact is profoundly practical. Now…] we transition to examining inductance within alternating current (AC) circuits, where its behavior manifests in fascinating and crucial ways. Specifically, we’ll explore the concepts of inductive reactance and impedance, two key parameters that dictate how inductors interact with AC signals.

Inductive Reactance: Opposition in AC

In direct current (DC) circuits, an ideal inductor presents no resistance to the flow of current once a steady state is reached. However, the landscape shifts dramatically when dealing with alternating current.

Inductive reactance emerges as the opposition to current flow specifically due to the presence of inductance in an AC circuit. It is represented by the symbol X_L and measured in ohms.

Unlike resistance, which dissipates energy as heat, reactance stores energy temporarily in the inductor’s magnetic field, releasing it back into the circuit.

A crucial characteristic of inductive reactance is its dependence on frequency. The relationship is directly proportional:

X_L = 2πfL

Where f is the frequency of the AC signal in Hertz, and L is the inductance in Henrys.

This equation reveals that as the frequency increases, the inductive reactance also increases, leading to a greater opposition to the flow of current. Conversely, at lower frequencies, the opposition is reduced.

Impedance: The Total Opposition to AC Current

While inductive reactance describes the opposition stemming solely from inductance, impedance provides a more comprehensive picture. Impedance (Z) represents the total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit, encompassing the effects of resistance (R), inductive reactance (X_L), and capacitive reactance (X_C).

Impedance is also measured in ohms and, being a complex quantity, considers both magnitude and phase. The phase component indicates the phase difference between the voltage and current in the circuit.

In a series RLC circuit (containing a resistor, inductor, and capacitor), impedance is calculated as:

Z = √(R² + (X_L – X_C)²)

This formula underscores that impedance is not simply the sum of resistance and reactances. Instead, it involves a more complex interaction due to the phase relationships between voltage and current in each component.

Impact on Circuit Behavior

The interplay of reactance and impedance significantly influences the behavior of AC circuits. Here are a few examples:

• Filters: Inductors (and capacitors) are fundamental components in filter circuits, which selectively allow certain frequencies to pass while attenuating others. Inductive reactance’s frequency dependence is key to filter design.
• Tuned Circuits: In resonant circuits (e.g., radio receivers), the inductive reactance and capacitive reactance are equal at a specific resonant frequency. This allows the circuit to efficiently amplify signals at that frequency.
• Power Factor Correction: Inductive loads (e.g., motors) cause the current to lag behind the voltage, leading to a lower power factor. Power factor correction techniques use capacitors to counteract the inductive reactance and improve efficiency.

Understanding how inductance contributes to reactance and impedance is crucial for analyzing, designing, and troubleshooting AC circuits. These concepts are fundamental to many electronic systems, from power supplies to communication networks.

Energy Storage: Tapping into the Inductor’s Reservoir

Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its practical implications are profound, especially when considering an inductor’s ability to store energy.

Unlike resistors, which dissipate energy as heat, inductors store energy within their magnetic fields. This unique characteristic makes them invaluable in a wide range of applications, from power supplies to signal processing circuits. Let’s explore how inductors perform this feat of energy storage and examine the formula that governs it.

The Magnetic Field as an Energy Repository

An inductor’s energy storage mechanism is intimately tied to the magnetic field it generates. When current flows through an inductor, a magnetic field is created around it. It is within this magnetic field that the energy is stored.

The strength of the magnetic field, and therefore the amount of energy stored, is directly proportional to the current flowing through the inductor. As the current increases, the magnetic field strengthens, and more energy is accumulated. Conversely, as the current decreases, the magnetic field weakens, releasing the stored energy back into the circuit.

Quantifying Stored Energy: The Formula Unveiled

The amount of energy stored in an inductor can be precisely calculated using a simple yet powerful formula:

E = 1/2 L I^2

Where:

• E represents the energy stored (measured in Joules).
• L is the inductance (measured in Henries).
• I is the current flowing through the inductor (measured in Amperes).

This equation reveals several key insights:

• The stored energy is directly proportional to the inductance. A larger inductance value means the inductor can store more energy for a given current.
• The stored energy is proportional to the square of the current. This means that even a small increase in current can lead to a significant increase in the energy stored.

Applications of Inductive Energy Storage

The ability of inductors to store energy finds application across numerous areas in modern electronics.

Flyback Converters: Efficient Power Conversion

One prominent example is the flyback converter, a type of switching-mode power supply widely used in applications requiring isolation or multiple output voltages.

In a flyback converter, an inductor stores energy during the "on" time of a switching transistor. When the transistor switches off, the energy stored in the inductor is released to the output, providing a controlled and efficient means of power conversion.

Inductive Charging: Wireless Power Transfer

Inductive charging, also known as wireless power transfer, relies heavily on the principles of inductive energy storage and mutual inductance.

A transmitting coil generates a magnetic field, which induces a current in a receiving coil within the device being charged. The energy is thus transferred wirelessly, thanks to the inductor’s ability to store and release energy through its magnetic field.

Filtering: Smoothing Out Voltage Fluctuations

Inductors are often used in filtering circuits to smooth out voltage fluctuations. When used in combination with capacitors, inductors can create low-pass, high-pass, or band-pass filters. These filters selectively allow certain frequencies to pass while attenuating others, creating a stable and noise-free power supply.

By storing and releasing energy, inductors play a critical role in stabilizing voltage levels, reducing unwanted ripple, and ensuring the reliable operation of electronic devices.

In conclusion, the energy storage capability of inductors is a cornerstone of modern electronics. From efficient power conversion to wireless charging and signal filtering, the ability to harness the magnetic field as an energy reservoir has revolutionized countless applications. Understanding the principles behind inductive energy storage is crucial for any engineer or enthusiast seeking to design and optimize electronic circuits.

Measuring Inductance: Tools and Techniques

Inductance, a fundamental property of electrical circuits, plays a critical role in how circuits behave, store energy, and manipulate electrical signals. It’s a concept that can initially seem abstract, but its practical implications are profound, especially when considering an inductor’s ability to oppose changes in current and store energy in a magnetic field. Accurately measuring inductance is therefore essential for designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing electronic circuits. Several methods exist to determine the inductance of a component or circuit, each with its own strengths and limitations.

LCR Meters: The Workhorse of Inductance Measurement

The LCR meter is the most common and versatile instrument for measuring inductance, capacitance, and resistance.

These devices apply an AC signal to the component under test and measure the resulting voltage and current.

From these measurements, the LCR meter calculates the impedance, and subsequently, the inductance, capacitance, and resistance values.

LCR meters operate at various frequencies, allowing for characterization of components across a range of operating conditions.

Selecting the appropriate test frequency is crucial for accurate measurements, as the inductance of a component can vary with frequency due to factors like core losses and parasitic effects.

Understanding LCR Meter Operation

LCR meters typically employ a bridge circuit or an auto-balancing bridge technique to determine the impedance of the component.

The bridge circuit is balanced when the impedance of the unknown component is equal to a known standard impedance.

The auto-balancing bridge automatically adjusts the standard impedance until the bridge is balanced, providing a direct reading of the unknown impedance.

LCR meters also provide information about the dissipation factor (D) and quality factor (Q) of the inductor.

These parameters indicate the losses within the inductor, with higher Q values indicating lower losses and better performance.

Alternative Measurement Techniques

While LCR meters are widely used, other techniques can also be employed for inductance measurement, particularly in specialized applications.

Impedance Analyzers

Impedance analyzers are sophisticated instruments capable of measuring impedance over a broad frequency range with high accuracy.

They are often used in research and development settings to characterize components and materials.

Bridge Circuits

Bridge circuits, such as the Maxwell bridge and Hay bridge, can be used to measure inductance by comparing it to known standard components.

These bridges require manual balancing and are generally less convenient than LCR meters but can offer high accuracy in specific applications.

Resonance Methods

Resonance methods involve creating a resonant circuit with the unknown inductor and a known capacitor.

By measuring the resonant frequency, the inductance can be calculated using the formula: L = 1 / (C (2 pi * f)^2), where f is the resonant frequency and C is the capacitance.

Factors Affecting Measurement Accuracy

Several factors can affect the accuracy of inductance measurements, regardless of the technique used.

Stray Capacitance and Inductance

Stray capacitance and inductance in the measurement setup can introduce errors, especially at high frequencies.

Minimizing lead lengths and using shielded cables can help reduce these effects.

Component Parasitics

Real-world inductors exhibit parasitic effects, such as series resistance and parallel capacitance, which can influence the measured inductance value.

These parasitics become more significant at higher frequencies.

Test Fixture Effects

The test fixture used to connect the component to the measurement instrument can also introduce errors.

Using well-designed test fixtures with low impedance connections is essential for accurate measurements.

Environmental Conditions

Temperature and humidity can affect the inductance of some components, particularly those with ferrite cores.

Maintaining stable environmental conditions during measurements can improve accuracy.

Calibration

Regular calibration of the measurement instrument is crucial to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Calibration involves comparing the instrument’s readings to known standards and adjusting the instrument to minimize errors.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, this clears up any confusion about inductance. Remember, inductance is measured in Henrys, but you might also stumble upon millihenries and microhenries depending on the application. Now you’re armed with the knowledge to tackle inductance with confidence!