Inductors are passive two-terminal electrical components that store energy in a magnetic field when electricity flows through it. Inductors are made up of 7 different segments all delivering against the same objective of storing and then releasing energy. These segments include; Coupled, Mulitlayer, Moulded, Power, High Frequency (RF), Surface Mount and Air Core.
Coupled:
These inductors share a magnetic path and influence each other, making them handy for stepping up or stepping down voltage.
Multilayer:
This type of inductor provides greater inductance, but only at lower maximum operating frequencies.
Molded:
These inductors are housed within a plastic or ceramic housing and can be encapsulated to provide improved environmental protection from heat, cold and moisture.
Power:
While this inductor can handle higher levels of power, it also generates more noise that requires magnetic shielding.
RF:
High-frequency or radio frequency inductors are designed to operate at higher frequencies, but require additional design and manufacturing techniques to reduce losses.
Surface mount:
These inductors are often very small and geared towards use in tight applications like mobile devices.
Air Core:
These inductors not use a magnetic core made of a ferromagnetic material. The coils are wound on plastic, ceramic, or other nonmagnetic forms, as well as those that actually have air inside the windings.
