Transformer or Inductor?

Once in a while i do get question like how do i know whether the component is a transformer or an inductor since both of them have similar shape? For your information in certain electronic equipment like the Samsung CRT Monitor the inductor (wrapped like a transformer) almost have the same size as a transformer! The first thing that i told them was to check on the marking on the circuit board. If it start with a “T” letter then it is a transformer and if it start with a letter “L” then it is an inductor.

Generally the transformer have a bigger size than inductor and assuming if there is no marking on the board then i guess you have to look at the circuit from behind. This will require some experience to identify the diffrences between the transformer and the inductor circuit. Transformer primary winding will usually have a transistor (fet or bipolar) to drive the winding while inductor is usually a bit direct which mean there will be an input and an output especially in the RFI filter circuit AC SUPPLY side.

Take a board now as a test and start to see the difference between a transformer and an inductor. If you have question about this topic please feel free to leave your comment below.

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2 Comments

1. 

   bob

   May 11, 2011 at 11:46 am

   Please send me pics of some inductors that i can use on my speaker drive .
   Am waiting to hear from you
   Best regards Bob

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2. 

   admin

   May 12, 2011 at 8:02 am

   HI Bob,

   Sorry i do not have such photo.

   Jestine

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