Hello, I would like to know if there is any formulea for calculating the peak current through an inductor, i am under the impression that when a voltage is passed across an inductor, the properties of the inductor limit the current. I know ohms law will work for resistors etc.

I am using the inductor as a coilgun, its resistance is 1.2Ω and inductance is 1.315mH, it was wound with half a pound of 18SWG wire(not sure how many turns?)

I am discharging 200V from a capcitor bank of 2000uF.

Thank You.

Thanks ljcox, my maths is pretty good (I think, lol) i'll write those down and see what values i can come up with, i am assuming it is:

V in Volts
I in Amperes
L in Henrys
D in Metres
T in Seconds

When I rearrange it i get I= ( (V*D*T) /L ) /D
Is this right??

Thanks

Originally Posted by ZIGGY_DAN

Thanks ljcox, my maths is pretty good (I think, lol) i'll write those down and see what values i can come up with, i am assuming it is:

V in Volts
I in Amperes
L in Henrys
D in Metres
T in Seconds

When I rearrange it i get I= ( (V*D*T) /L ) /D
Is this right??

Thanks

No, that's not correct.

"D" is not a length. The expression "di/dt", is intended to mean the time derivative of the current. Written another way looks like V = L* d/dt[i(t)]

Where i(t) is the current as a function of time. The d/dt part means "the derivative of." If you are proficient in calculus, you will understand this.

So I'm led inexorably to the conclusion that a lack of calculus training leads to an interest in coil guns!

Sacre Bleu! and lol

Or disasterous and regrettable results when you get it wrong, which you will, according to the principals enunciated by one Edwin P. Murphy. I hold such people in the highest contempt.

Originally Posted by Papabravo

Or disasterous and regrettable results when you get it wrong, which you will, according to the principals enunciated by one Edwin P. Murphy. I hold such people in the highest contempt.

Yeh, it's the kind of thing that looks deceptively simple because at first glance, you can intuitively grasp some of the concepts and feel like you got a handle on things, but if you have the background to think it through...it really isn't. THat's what makes it so dangerous.

Wolf in sheeps clothing.

Sorry about the misconception, i haven't really done calculus, i am fresh out of secondary school, thanks for all the replies

What's secondary school? Is that High school equivelant (Grades 10-12)? Kind of strange they didn't offer calculus if it is.

Ages 11-16, i'm still 15 (have a birthday later in this year) we did do some calculus, i'm of to college soon to do A-levels, i am taking maths, so i am expecting to do some of calculus. (Oh Joy)

I am as prepared as i'll ever be (i think lol)

convoluted, thats a nifty word for complex or intricate, i think i might use that sometime recent...


Now thats an idea... a convoluted one??!

LOL

They DO have a sadistical sense of humour, must be all of those numbers and formulea sucking out their true humour... saphire,irony and other comical means of comunication lol

i think we've strayed from the original question somehow...

thanks for the replies.