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The Inductor Data

A project log for Inductor Saturation Current Tester

Determining the saturation current for datasheetless, Chinese inductors.

kevin-kesslerKevin Kessler 01/18/2024 at 21:120 Comments

This is my collected data from Aliexpress inductors I have in my parts bin. The link displays the oscilloscope screen shot for that inductor test.

The worst inductors where the SMD 1210 sized inductors, which probably were not meant for switching power applications. The best inductors were labeled Molded Power Inductors, and the saturation current measurements were really rough, since the current was so high, the voltage drop across the P-Channel FET becomes an issue. These "molded inductors" curves looks a lot like the metal alloy Bourn ones I got from Digikey, so they are probably the best choice for the power applications.

Inductor Name
PictureResults
CDRH74R
7.3mm x 7.3mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
2.2uH2.5uH14.25A
10uH9.5uH5.2A
47uH49.8uH5.2A
100uH85uH1.5A
Through Hole
4mm x 6mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
47uH41uH14.25A
Through Hole
8mm x 10mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
330uH225uH190mA
Axial
Through Hole
ValueMeasured LSat I
10uH7.3uH2.25A
47uH46.4uH944mA
100uH93,5uH300mA
SMD
3.5mm x 3.5mm

1mH released the magic smoke. Apparently the maximum current this device can handle is less than the saturation current.
CD43
4mm x
4.3mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
1uH1.1uH19A
10uH10uH3.7A
47uH49uH1.27A
100uH80uH0.9A
330uH364uH380mA
SMD 1210 2.5mm x
3.75mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
10uH3.08uH2.3A
100uH37uH493mA
0402 Molded Power Inductor
4mm x 4.5mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
10uH5.0uH17.6A
0520 Molded Power Inductor
5.5mm x 5.0mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
10uH7.9uH11.1A
0650 Molded Power Inductor
6.5mm x 6.5mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
4.7uH3.7uH25.8A
47uH33.9uH6.75A
1040 Molded Power Inductor
10mm x 10.4mm
ValueMeasured LSat I
10uH11.3uH24.9A
100uH81.6uH6.6A

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