Hey guys! Hate to be the fool that asks this question, but I was wondering when I should choose to use an inductor and when it is best to use a capacitor. They both hold electrical charge and can hold lots of it. Is it ever okay to replace an inductor with a similar charge cap? Dave, maybe you could do a blog on inductors to go with your capacitor show. I know I would watch it!
No, the circuits used are totally different.
When a capacitor is charged from a DC supply,the current is initially large,diminishing to virtually zero at "full charge".
The cap can be removed from circuit,left for some time with the terminals open circuit.If a short circuit is then placed across the terminals,
the capacitor will then give up its electrical charge in the form of current,(accompanied by a nice big spark if the cap is high enough in value,or
the charging voltage was high enough.)
An inductor's charging current is initially low,increasing to a maximum as the inductor reaches full charge.
A magnetic field is set up around the inductor,which is where the charge is stored.
If the charging circuit is now interrupted,the magnetic field collapses,releasing the stored energy in the form of an induced voltage,which will
often cause a nice big spark!
So:- Capacitor---- fully charged---no current!
Inductor-----fully charged---lots of current !Capacitors are used more often than Inductors in much general circuitry,because they don't need a standing current to stay charged,they are
normally lower in loss,& usually smaller.
Inductors are widely used,however,where their special characteristics are very useful.
Both Capacitors & Inductors are used extensively in AC circuits.
I suggest you read up on Basic DC theory,Inductors & Capacitors.----You may find information on the Internet,or try your local library.
Now guys,before you pull me to pieces for what I've left out,this was aimed at the OPs level of knowledge.
VK6ZGO