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Any conductor possesses a characteristic called inductance. Inductance is the ability to store energy in the form of a magnetic field. Inductance is symbolized by the capital letter L and is measured in the unit of the Henry (H). Some of the symbols for an inductor in an electric circuit are:
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| Circuit symbols for inductors |
Inductance is a non-dissipative quantity. Unlike resistance, a pure inductance does not dissipate energy in the form of heat; rather, it stores and releases energy from and to the rest of the circuit.
Inductors are devices expressly designed and manufactured to possess inductance. They are typically constructed of a wire coil wound around a ferromagnetic core material. Inductors have current ratings as well as inductance ratings. Due to the effect of magnetic saturation, inductance tends to decrease as current approaches the rated maximum value in an iron-core inductor.
