2.14 L2 - Inductance Match
Where Used
The inductance match test calculates the ratio between two inductances on
two windings. An equivalent series inductance measurement is performed on
each winding by measuring the complex impedance.
This test is suitable for switched mode power supply transformers, and
audio & telecommunication transformers. It checks matching between
windings.
Measurement Conditions
When calculating inductance match the tester performs two inductance
measurements.
Firstly the unit applies an ac voltage across the first winding; it then
measures the voltage across and the current through the winding using
harmonic analysis. The measured voltage is divided by the current to
obtain a complex impedance and the inductance is calculated.
This is then repeated for the second winding.
The inductance match is the ratio of first to second winding inductance.
The test signal can have a frequency in the range 20Hz to 3MHz, and an
amplitude from 1mV to 5V.
Generally, it is not necessary to measure the inductance at the normal
operating conditions of the transformer, which could involve, for example,
voltage levels of hundreds of volts.
This is because the B-H curve can normally be assumed to be linear in the
operating region, and the inductance measured at a low level represents
the inductance that will appear in use.
Also, it can usually be assumed that the inductance value does not vary
significantly with frequency.
Therefore, although high frequencies are available with the tester,
measurement frequencies above a few hundred kilohertz should be used with
caution.
This is because the errors caused by the stray inductance and capacitance
of your fixture may become much more significant at these frequencies.
Compensation can be used to eliminate these errors.
The following table suggests suitable test conditions for different
values of expected average inductance: -
Average Inductance
(Geometric Mean) |
Preferred test signal |
Frequency |
Voltage |
100nH → 1uH
1uH → 10uH
10uH → 100uH
100uH → 1mH
1mH → 10mH
10mH → 100mH
100mH → 1H
1H → 10H
10H → 100H
100H → 1KH
1kH → 10KH |
300KHz
100KHz
30KHz
10KHz
1KHz
100Hz
100Hz
50Hz
50Hz
50Hz
20Hz |
10mV
30mV
50mV
100mV
100mV
100mV
300mV
1V
5V
5V
5V |
Test Conditions for Inductance Match Measurement
Wherever possible, this table should be used for all inductance tests.
The inductance range should be chosen based on minimum value of inductance
expected.
When choosing the test conditions, the following potential problems
should be considered: -
a) Current levels
The upper voltage limits should be chosen to give a maximum current level
of about 100mArms. for the lowest inductance expected. In some cases, this
current may cause core saturation, and a lower voltage should be used. The
minimum voltage level must be chosen so that the test current does not
become so low that it cannot be sensibly measured. The lower voltage
limits in the table above always give test currents higher than 3uA rms.
b) Self-Resonant Frequency
At lower frequencies, the capacitance of the windings can normally be
ignored because its impedance is much higher than that of the inductance.
However, at very high frequencies, this is not so, the capacitance
dominates and inductance cannot be measured. The self-resonant frequency
of the transformer is the change-over point between these two regions.
Normally to get a good measurement of inductance, the test frequency
should be less than 20% of the resonant frequency of the transformer. In
general high values of inductance will have a high inter-turn capacitance
and hence a low resonant frequency. Where there is a choice of test
frequencies always use the lower value, to minimise any problems due to
self-resonance.
c) Non-linear inductance
Normally inductance measurements should be used for transformers where
the B-H characteristics are linear.
However, if inductance measurements are attempted for instance with line
frequency transformers where the core material is non-linear even at low
signal levels, the measured results can be highly dependant on the applied
test signal.
This can be a problem when trying to compare measurements made on
commercially available impedance bridges, or component testers, with
measurements made using the AT Series testers. The test signal in such
bridges is usually determined within the instrument, and is often at a
fixed frequency and at a voltage level, which is not guaranteed to be
constant for all value of inductance.
Usually, if the actual test conditions of the bridge can be determined,
and the tester is then programmed to deliver the same test conditions
across the inductance the results will then agree. (See also the comments
below on differences caused by the choice of equivalent circuit).
d) Equivalent circuit
Inductance is always measured as part of a complex impedance, the result
being expressed in terms of either a series or parallel equivalent
circuit. Note that, for any given winding, the inductance values for two
circuits are not necessarily the same; this should be born in mind when
specifying the test limits.