Modelling Winding Losses in High-Frequency Power Inductors

A high-frequency model of iron-powder-core inductors is studied. The skin and proximity effects that cause the winding parasitic resistance to increase with the operating frequency are considered. The inductor self-resonance due to the parasitic capacitances is taken into account as well. The frequency response of the inductor model is compared to that of an experimentally tested iron-powder-core inductor. Expressions giving the ac resistance as a function of the operating frequency are given. These expressions allow for an accurate prediction of the inductor power loss over a wide frequency range. The measured and calculated values of the inductor impedance magnitude and phase, the real and imaginary parts of the inductor impedance, the inductance, and the inductor quality factor are plotted versus frequency and compared. Theoretical results were in good agreement with those experimentally measured. A design procedure for solid wire winding inductors based on the results of the inductor modelling is also given in the paper.