Mutual Inductance

As described before the inductor is a special case of a more general set of

circumstances. For the simple inductor the current producing the magnetic
effect (‘field’) flows in the same conductor on which the magnetic field reacts.
This is self-inductance, and the volt-ampere relation is V1 = L11 dI1/dT; the
subscripts are added for the sake of the discussion to indicate it describes the
effect of I1 on itself. However the magnetic field produced by one current also
can act on an entirely different conductor. This is described as mutual inductance and the volt-ampere
relation is written as V2 = L21 dI1/dt. Here L21 describes the effect of I1 on the other inductor. The self-
and mutual inductance coefficients both are functions of geometry and material properties

Actually the situation can be somewhat more involved. Thus the

inductively coupled coils both could be carrying current, so that each
current provides a self-inductive and a mutually inductive component:
V1 = L11dI1/dt + L12 dI2/dt
V2 = L21dI1/dt + L22 dI2/dt
Thus V1 is produced partially by I1 reacting on itself, and partially by
I2 reacting on I1. Similarly V2 is produced partially by I1 reacting on
I2, and partially by I2 reacting on itself.

Alas there is still more complication. For self-inductance the volt-ampere relation is described with specific
voltage and current polarities (to obtain a positive inductance coefficient). A similar specification must be
given for the mutual inductance. Thus, in the figure above, if I1 is positive it must be made clear whether V2
is positive or negative. There is no implicit means of determining this from the circuit diagram; the circuit
diagram shows topology but the proper polarity for the mutual induction is a function of the geometry (i.e.
orientation) of the inductors. Accordingly a convention is needed to convey information determined from
the actual circuit. A commonly used convention that we describe is the 'dot' convention.

First select one coil, say coil #1, and place a dot (or a triangle or a square, or whatever) on one end or the
other to distinguish one end. Then from an actual measurement or equivalent (by someone, sometime)
determine the polarity of the voltage drop induced in coil #2 by a current in coil #1 flowing into the dot.
Indicate this polarity by placing a dot on the + end of the other coil. This convention then means a current
flowing into the dot on one coil (either one) produces a voltage drop from the dotted to the undotted end of
the other coil. (Or, if you prefer to be contrary, a current flowing into the undotted end of one coil
produces a voltage drop from the undotted to the dotted end of the other coil.)

For linear circuits it can be shown that L12 = L21, and commonly the letter M (for 'mutual') is used for the
common value. Also L11 and L22 often are simplified to L1 and L2.

Here is a simple illustration. Two coupled inductors are connected is series as

shown on the left. The question considered is what is the value of a single
uncoupled inductor that produces the same terminal behavior, i.e., what is the
equivalent inductance to the two coupled inductors connected in series.? If the
coils were not coupled that equivalent inductor would be L1+L 2. Not so here.

Suppose a current I flows into L1 and so through both inductors (source not
shown); calculate the terminal voltage drop and from this the equivalent
inductance. The voltage drop across L1 is produced by two terms; there is the self-induced voltage L1dI/dt,
and there is the contribution of the current flowing through L2; this is –MdI/dt. The minus sign applies
because the current flows into the dotted end of L2, and so produces a voltage drop from the dotted to the
undotted end. Similarly there are two terms for the voltage drop across L2. The self-induced voltage is
L2dI/dt, and the coupled voltage is –MdI/dt. Hence terminal voltage = (L1+L 2-2M) dI/dt, and the
equivalent inductance is L1+L 2-2M.

Circuits Mutual Inductance 1 M H Miller

What happens if one of the dots is shifted to the other end of its coil? The equivalent inductance becomes
L1+L 2-2M ( in effect replace –M by M).

Some example problems follow.

13.1 Calculate vo.

13.4 Keep in mind that this illustration involves a straightforward process of writing loop equations, using
the appropriate constant of proportionality for the volt-
ampere relation of each element. Be careful with the
mutual inductance. Two things to note about the mutual
inductance term: a) the current in each coil produces a
voltage drop across the other; don't account for the current
in L1 (for example) producing a voltage drop across L3,
and then forget that the current in L3 produces a voltage
drop across L1, and b) remember the polarity convention;
a current into (out of) a 'dot' on one coil produces a
voltage drop from (to) the 'dotted' to (from) the 'undotted'
end of the other coil

Circuits Mutual Inductance 2 M H Miller

13.5
This is similar to 13.4. The 'tricky' part is to account
for all the inductive couplings. For example L3 is
coupled to L1, and so there is a contribution from I3 to
the I1 loop equation. The difficulty is not really the
mathematics but rather keeping track of all the terms.

13.17 Calculate I1 and I2. (Note that j1 and j2 are reactances and not inductances.

Circuits Mutual Inductance 3 M H Miller