Within any electronic component, including in high-frequency coils, electronic circuits as well as many different types of transformers, small yet essential passive component are essential to make the component work. Good examples of these components are toroidal inductors, which are used in a wide variety of different electronics.
The Shape
While there are slight shape variations, the toroidal inductors are all going to include a donut shaped object. These can be very small, just centimeters in size, or they can be considerably larger. This torus shape is actually a surface of revolution, or circle that occupies a three-dimensional space.
With toroidal inductors that shape, or torus, is made of a magnetic core material, which is most commonly ferrite or a compressed iron powder. Then, around this torus shape wire is wrapped with any number of winds to create the design to resist any change to the electronic current that is passed through it in the system.
Depending on the specific design of the electrical component or device, toroidal inductors can be created for a horizontal or a vertical mount.
The Importance
Like all inductors, which can include different shapes and design options, all toroidal inductors store the energy flowing through the wire in a magnetic field within the coil. When there is a change in the current that is flowing into and through the conductor itself, this energy is used to correct or oppose those changes, providing a consistent current out other side of the inductor even with changes in the incoming current.
Generally the use of inductors, including toroidal inductors is associated with radio equipment, sensitive types of circuits, and with specialized types of devices. They are typically associated with use with electronic equipment operating on AC current, allowing the DC current to pass, which is essential in radio equipment. In these uses, the inductors are often referred to as chokes, which is the most common name within some industries.
Other uses include as electronic filters, as they can also be designed to be able to block or separate different frequencies, which is important in tuning circuits used in televisions as well as in radio equipment.
Generally, because of their passive design and their low cost of manufacturing, toroidal inductors are very reasonably priced, even with custom design options. They can also be used for a wide range of different operating temperature ranges and are ideal for all applications.
