THE SELF AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCES OF LINEAR

CONDUCTORS.

By Edward

B. Rosa.

Formulae for the self and. mutual inductances of straight wires

and rectangles are to be found in various books and papers, but
their demonstrations are usually omitted and often the approximate
formulae are given as though they were exact.
I have thought that
a discussion of these formulae, with the derivation of a number of
new expressions, would be of interest, and that illustrations of the
formulae, with some examples, would be of service in making such
numerical calculations as are often made in scientific and technical
work.

have derived the formulae in the simplest possible manner, using

the law of Biot and Savart in the differential form instead of Neumann's equation, as it gives a better physical view of the various
problems considered. This law has not, of course, been experimentally verified for unclosed circuits; but the self-inductance of an
unclosed circuit means simply its self-inductance as a part of a
closed circuit, the total inductance of which can not be determined
until the entire circuit is specified.
In this sense the use of the law
of Biot and Savart to obtain the self-inductance of an unclosed circuit is perfectly legitimate.
I have also shown how, by the use of
I

certain arithmetical

mean

distances, the accuracy of

distances in addition to geometrical

some

of the formulae can be increased.

In the following demonstrations the magnetic

be instantaneous

assumed

to

mean

field is

assumed to

in other words, the dimensions of the circuit are

be small enough and the frequency of the current slow

Bulletin of the

302

enougli so that

it

canceled

is

Vol.

4,

No.

This

field.

may

be done even

when

integrated to infinity, as the distant magnetic field

when two

2.

not necessary to take account of the finite

is

velocity of propagation of the

the field

Bureau of Standards.

or

more open

circuits are

is

combined into a closed

circuit.^
1.

SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A STRAIGHT CYLINDRICAL WIRE.

AB

be a length

a cylindrical wire of radius p traversed

by current i distributed uniformly over the cross section of the wire.
lyct

/ of

dxD

Fig.

The magnetic

force at

P normal

the cylinder of length dy

.

1.

to the

paper due to an element of

is,

dy

-^ sin

a dy

6:=.

\_a'-Y{y-Vf-\i
It is

show ^ that the force at any point outside a right

the same as though the current were concentrated at the

easy to

cylinder

is

For a discussion of the self-inductance of an open circuit closed by displacement

is taken into account see a recent
paper by K. Ogura and C. P. Steinmetz, Phys. Rev., 25, p. 184, Sept., 1907.
^Minchin, Irondon Electrician, Sept. 27, 1895.
M. Wien, Wied. Annal. 53, p. 928, 1894, gives a number of formulae for the self
and mutual inductance of linear conductors.
^

currents in which the finite velocity of the field

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.

The

axis of the wire.

cylinder carrying unit current

*^

H-

is

to the

whole length

of the

then,

I b

a dy

The number
of breadth dx^

the

P due

force at

303

magnetic force

of lines of

dJV^

within the strip CD,

found by integrating the expression for If along

is

strip.

Thus,

dx

,,^

dN^^

lb

2dx

\db

^a^^l a

(2)

'

The whole number of

ahy X
7V=2

N outside the wire which will

upon the wire when the current

collapse

grating

lines of force

dN with respect
VCL

to

x from

.r

/o

ceases

to

.r

= go

is
.

found by inteThus, replacing

(2),

dx 2 v^'t^'4-^'--^--^iog^v^in

or,

iV=

/log

^V^^^_^/7^+,
]

2/

This

the

is

number

Zi due to the external

within the wire.
2ix
the

is

field.

The number

is-

length

approximately

therefore that part of

We

must now

strength of field at the point

the wire
in

find

its

Z^ due

to the field

of lines of force
is,

therefore,

dN=

2ilxdx
s

Fig. 2.

1173707-

to unit

self-inductance

P within

within the element dx

(3)

(4)

due

of lines of force outside the wire

current in the wire, and

The

log

{2a)
a

Bulletin of the

304

we integrate
number of lines of

Bureau of Standards.
from o

this expression

If

to p

we have

force within the conductor.

li

jV=-2

voi.

there are

(5)

lines or tubes per unit of length within

z,

2.

Therefore

C 2xdx = h

diical conductor carrying a current

no.

the whole

Thus

4,

or 07ie tube

any

cylin-'

per cm for unit

currejtt.^

The

do not cut the whole cross section

of the conductor, as do those without.
We must weight them, in
estimating their effect on the self-inductance, in proportion to the
area of the section of the conductor cut by each elementary tube.
Thus,
lines within the conductor

2ix

x^

or

Tz

x^'Y

(6)

Thus
as

the

/ lines

or tubes within the conductor contribute only half

much toward

number
If

the self-inductance of the conductor as an equal

of lines outside the conductor

the permeability of the wire

due to the internal

is

ft

would

do.

the part of the self-inductance

field is

A=|'
We may derive

(6)

otherwise thus:

(7)

The field

at

is

H= 2ix
P'

The

total

energy

W inside the wire

is

/
For convenience we may, however, speak as though there were many
tubes within the conductor due to unit current.
^

lines or

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

j?osa.]

where the integration

is

taken throughout

tlie

305

vohime

entire

of the

cylindrical wire.

Thus, since dv 2irxldx

Zirxldx
2

J^*"

/^^

-2

PI
.

x^dx =

(8)^
^

ft/o

But since IV -LJ^ we have

,

L~^
as found above

The

by the

first

method

(6).

total self-inductance of the length / of straight wire is there-

fore the

sum

of Z^

and

Z2, as

given by

(3)

and

(6),

or

Z= 2[/ log ^+^^-^P + p^+^^ + p'j

2l\

log

(9)

approximately.

(10)

where the permeability of the wire is ^t, and that of the medium outThis formula was originally given by Neumann. For
side is unity.
a straight cylindrical tube of infinitesimal thickness, or for alternating

currents of great frequency,

the wire,

we have

when

is

no magnetic

field

within

for the self-inductance instead of (10) or (11)

Z=2/
2.

there

log

(iia)

THE MUTUAL INDUCTANCE OF TWO PARALLEL WIRES.

The mutual inductance of two parallel wires of length /, ladius

and distance apart d will be the number of lines of force due to unit
current in one which cut the other when the current disappears.
This will be the value of JV given by {2a) when the limits of integration are d and 00 instead of p and 00 as before.
/),

3o6

Bulletin of the

Bareate of Standards.

Vol.

4,

No.

2.

Thus
B

M=2[nog ^V^^'_7/^+^'^H= 2l\

J

when

Fig. 3.

last

the length

1+7
/ is

approximately

great in comparison with

(13)

d.

Equation (12), which is an exact expression when

the wires have no appreciable cross section, is not an
exact expression for the mutual inductance of two
parallel cylindrical wires, but is not appreciably in
error even when the section is large and d is small if
/ is great compared with d.
The force in that case
due to A at all points outside A is exactly the same
as though the current were concentrated at the center
Oi of A; and the geometrical mean distance from O^ to
the cross section of B is exactly the distance d between
Oi and Og. The mean distance from O^ to all the
points in the section of B is not, however, quite the
same as d^ although the mean of the log of these

i-TT--^D

distances

log

(i2)

is

log

d.

Hence

there

is

a very slight difference in the

term of (12) depending upon the section of the wires and a

smaller

difference

other terms.

(See

in

still

the

p. 331.)

This is, however, too small

to be appreciable in any
ordinary case, being a small
quantity of the second order

when
with

/ is

large

Fig. 4

d.
3.

If

compared

we have

THE SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A RETURN

CIRCUIT.

a return circuit of two parallel wires each of length

(the current flowing in opposite direction in the

two wires) the

inductance of the circuit will be, neglecting the

connections shown by dotted

lines. Fig. 3,

L^2L^2M

effect of the

self-

end

Indtictance of Linear Conductors,

J^osa.]

307

where L^ is the self-inductance of either wire taken by itself, and

Substituting the approximate values
is their mutual inductance.
we have
Zi and

M
of

L = 4/
The same

result-follows

netic force

log- -|- -

if

approximately

(14)

integrate the expression for the mag-

we

between the wires due to unit current, //=

2/^.

Thus,
id

Ar=i

Multiplying this by two

to the
(14).

?^=2/iog'^

both wires) and adding the term due

within the wires we have the result given by

magnetic field
If the end effect

(for

is large,

as

when

the wires are relatively far

apart, use the expression for the self -inductance of a rectangle

below

AB + CD
4.

add to the value of (14) the self-inductance

using equation (10) in which /= 2AB.

(24); or, better,

of

MUTUAL INDUCTANCE OF TWO PARALLEL WIRES BY NEUMANN'S

FORMULA.

Neumann's formula

for the

mutual inductance

of

any two

cir-

cuits is

r Tcos

M--

ds ds'

In this case e o and cos e=i, rJd'^^i^y Uf^ and the integration is along both lines.

M=
The

AB

/"^'J'vJ.flN-J^fxx^

quantity in the brackets

along

CD

the mutual inductance of the line

from the lower end,

Now making b variable and calling it j/, and integrating
from o to /, we have

and unit length of

Fig. 4a.

CD

is

at a point distant b

3o8

Bulletin of the Bi^reau of Standards.

Vol.

4,

No.

2.

M=2 [/1o,^4^_V/m:Z'+'^]
wliich

is the same expression (12) found

by the other method.
That process is
more direct and simpler to carry out than
to use Neumann's formula.

5.

MUTUAL INDUCTANCE OF TWO LINEAR CONDUCTORS IN THE SAME STRAIGHT LINE

We

have found the self-inductance of the

finite linear conductor AB by integrating
the magnetic force due to unit current in
AB over the area ABB'A', extending to
the right to infinity, equations (3) and (9).
In the same way we may find the
mutual inductance of the conductors AB
Fig. 4a.

,c'

Fig. 5.

and BC, lying in the same straight

area S2 (extending to infinity)

by integrating over the

the force due to unit current in AB.
line,

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.]

The magnetic
A) due

force at the point

to current i in

AB

H,=
The whole number

309

(of coordinates x^ j, origin at

is

y-i

'

(16)

^x'+{y-l) i]

x{_^x^+y'

of lines of force

N^ included

in the area Sg

is

;/?

log

*
;;2

or

^/

J/;^

log.

^^
/^^2

-v-^

'

+^^
I

^^..2

^L__ -I- ;;2 log -^H-, approximately.

(17)

This approximation is very close indeed so long as 77t does not

approach infinity and the radius of the conductor BC (which we
we have assumed zero) is very small.
If

l=ni^

M2lloge
If

/;2=iooo

/,

= 2/x 0.69315

cm.

(17) gives

M=^ I loge

looi

+ 1000

/log, 1001

/ log, 1. 001

+ / approximately.

(18)

3IO

Bulletin of the Btireau of Standards.

If

/=

\voi.

4,

no.

2.

cm, (18) gives

MXo'g^ iooi-|-iooo

logg

1.

001

= 6.909+0.999=7.908.
The
of I

self

mm

inductance of the short wire AB, suppose

radius,

A=

cm

long and

is

2(log

^-

.75)

= 2(2.9957-.75) = 4.49i5

cm,

which is a little more than one-half of the mutual inductance

and BC, BC being 1000 times the length of AB.
In closed

circuits,

all

of

AB

the magnetic lines due to a circuit are

producing self-inductance, and hence the self-inductance

is always greater than the mutual inductance of that circuit with
any other, assuming one turn in each. But with open circuits, as
in this case, we may have a mutual inductance between two conductors greater than the self-inductance of one of them.
effective in

SECOND DERIVATION OF FORMULA

(17).

We may derive

formula (17) for the mutual inductance of two

linear conductors forming parts of the same straight line by use of
formula (10). Let Li be the self-inductance of AB, L^ of BC, and
L that of the whole line ABC. Then we have by (10)

Z,= a/(logl^-|)

3\

2,ni

Z=2(/+;;.)[log?^^-|]
The mutual inductance M^^

BC

is

of the

(19)

two straight

then given by the expression

From above

4j

Li^L^^2{l'\-ni\ logP
L

2/log-y
^

.-,

or

2M,,,^2{l^m\\oz-^-\-2l\o^-j

n^
M,, =

l-\-m

l-\-m

log-y- + m log^^

7 1

lines

AB

and

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.'\

311

equation (17), found independently above by integrating

over the area Sg the magnetic flux due to unit current in AB.

which

is

6.

DEFINITION OF SELF-INDUCTANCE OF AN OPEN CIRCUIT.

It is of

course impossible to maintain

steady current in

conductor, or even to start a current

finite straight

in such a conductor without

having a return in

form of a displacement current. One can

excite an oscillatory current in such a conductor,
but the displacement current which closes the circuit will produce magnetic force at a distance,
and hence the actual self-inductance of such a circuit is not the value of the self-inductance given by
the

equation

The

Fig. 6.

(9).

latter is the self-inductance of a part of a closed circuit

the current in
cuit of

which

The

itself.
it is

actual self-inductance of

a part will be the

sum

all

the parts, plus the

of

the component parts on

inductance of a rectangle

is

of the

four sides (by equation 10) plus

any closed

cir-

of the self-inductances of

mutual inductances

one

of each

Thus

the other parts.

all

the

sum

due to

the

self-

sum of the self-inductances of the

the sum of the mutual inductances
and 3 on each other,
and of 2 and 4 on each
of

X-i

other (taking account

sign

of

mutual induct-

the

ances will

be

negative).

Since the lines of force due

to side

not cut

in collapsing do

and

4,

inductance of

and 4
>^

the mutual

and

on

is zero.

In a recent number of the

Elektrotechnische
schrift,*

flux of a finite straight conductor as derived

law has an
is

infinite

therefore

value,

infinite

and
and

*Karl Willy Wagner, Elek.

hence that
July

4,

total

shows
magnetic

from the Biot-Savart

concludes that

Zeit.,

Zeit-

Wagner

the

that

Fig. 7.

ance

one

the self-induct-

can

1907, p. 673.

properly

Bulletiii

312

of the Bureau of Standards.

Vol.

4,

No.

2.

Speak of the self-inductance only for closed circuits. In reaching this conclusion he takes the integral expression given by
Sumec ^ for the flux through a rectangle of length y and breadth

x^x^ due

He

then

to a finite straight wire of length

lets

the rectangle expand,

x.^

/,

as

shown

in Fig.

7.

being constant, and the ratio

remaining constant until Xc^ and y are both infinite. This gives
an infinite value to the flux, but does not prove the self-inductance
of the finite wire AB to be infinite, defining the self-inductance as I
have done above. When the current in the wire decreases, the field
everywhere decreases in intensity, and we think of the lines as collapsing upon the wire; that is, moving in from all sides upon the wire.
But those lines above BB^ and below A A' do not cut the wire, and
hence contribute nothing to the self-inductance. For no lines of
force cut across the lines BB' and AA' (BB^ and AA' of course
extend to infinity) as the field becomes weaker; the lines above BB'
and below A A' collapse upon the axis extended of the wire AB.

yjxc^

B'

Fig. 8.

Looking at it in another way, suppose the wire is divided into

two parts at C, and the field between BB^ and AA' is divided into
Fj and Fg.
The lines of force in F^ are due to the whole wire AB
and not to AC simply, but in collapsing when the current ceases
they cut only AC. So the lines in Fg are due to the whole wire AB,
but they cut only CB.

Therefore in getting an expression for the

self-inductance of the wire

'J.

AB we

K. Sumec, Elek.

Zeit.

must
;

find the

number

Dec. 20, 1906, p. 1175.

of lines of

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

/^osa,]

313

between BB' and AA' integrating to infinity, and this

a finite number, as shown above, (3) or (4).
To repeat what has already been said above, the self-inductance

force included
is

of a finite straight wire

closed circuit.

The

means

its

self-inductance as a part of

infinite field at a distance

due

to

some

canceled

it is

which are not

specified.
We take account only of those lines which cut the given
conductor in calculating its own self-inductance, and of those lines
only which cut other parts of the circuit in calculating mutual
inductances, ignoring the lines which do neither.
In the case of an oscillating current in a finite straight wire, at
the moment when the current i is a maximum and the potential of

by that due

the wire

where

The

is

is

to the other parts of the closed circuit

sensibly uniform and equal to zero the energy

the self-inductance and

value of

is

is

-^^^

the current at the instant.

i is

not the value given by

value found by Wagner, but

is

nor yet the infinite

(9)

a finite value due to the finite con-

ductor taken in connection with the return displacement circuit.

It

and not simply of

the conductor in question.
This I take it is what Wagner means,
and not that we can not speak of the self-inductance of an unclosed
circuit in the sense in which it is done throughout this article.
is

indeed the self-inductance of a closed

7.

The

circuit,

THE SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A STRAIGHT RECTANGULAR BAR.

self-inductance of a straight bar of rectangular section

within the accuracy of the approximate formula

(13), the

the mutual inductance of two parallel straight filaments of

length separated by a distance equal to the geometrical

same as
the same

mean distance

Z=2/llog^-i+yJ

is

rod or bar.

the geometric
If

of the square.

the section
If

mean
is

the section

by Maxwell's formula.

(E.

the rectangular section

is

to

Thus,

of the cross section of the bar.

where

is,

(20)

distance of the cross section of the

a square, ^^ = .447 a^ a being the side

is

a rectangle, the value of

and M.,

4X

cm,

692.)

R is given

For example, when

R\.\\% cm.

Thus the

self-

Bulletin of the

314

Bureau of Standards.

inductance of a straight square rod

is

little

less

Vol. 4,

No.

2.

than that of a

round rod of the same diameter, equal indeed to the self-inductance

of a round rod of diameter 1.15 times the side of the square.

Sumec has

mean

called attention to the fact that the geometrical

distance for the area of a rectangle

very nearly proportional

is

two sides of the rectangle. Putting a and fi

for the lengths of the two sides of the rectangle, and R for the
geometrical mean distance of the rectangle from itself,
to the length of the

7^

= 0.2235

(a-|-/3)

nearly y2?r all values of a

The

and

how

following table shows

constant

is

the ratio

a+/3

yS.

nearly

for rectangles of

different proportions

TABLE
a and

y5

are the

I.

Length and Breadth of the Rectangles.

Geometrical

Mean Distance

Rat io

of

its

a+j8

0.44705a

0.22353

1.25

0.40235a

0.22353

1.5

0.37258a

0.22355

0.33540a

0.22360

0.27961a

0.22369

10

0.24596a

0.22360

20

0.23463a

0.22346

0.22315a

0.22315

The simple relation between

sum of its two sides, <x+/5, is

the g. m.

d. of

a rectangle and the

rather remarkable and, in view of

the complicated formula employed in calculating

very fortunate.

Substituting this value of

= 1.500

have, since loge

0.2235

the

Area.

is

nearly.

R for a rectangle,

in formula (20)

we

Rosa

Inductance of Linear Condttctors.

"

Z=2/

2/

I
,

[^^^a +^^2+

0.2235 (a+^) "l

I

(21)

as the formula for the self-inductance of a straight bar or wire of

and having a rectangular section of length a and breadth (3.

Substituting / looo, and a+y5=2 for a square bar looo cm long
and I square cm section we have, neglecting the small last term,
length

2000

Z= 2000 r,logg
J.

= 2ooo

\-

microhenrys.

This would also be the self-inductance

=2

+ 0.5) = 14816 cm

(6.908

= 14.816

for

any section having

a-f-/3

cm.

For a rectangular bar

/.= 2000
J.

8.

microhenrys.

of rectangular section

Z= 17.588

cm, we have similarly

2000

loge

= 12.983
For a wire

1x4

of section

1x4 mm,

and 10 meters long

microhenrys.

TWO PARALLEL BARS. SELF AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCE.

The mutual inductance

gular bars

is

equal to

two parallel straight, square, or rectanthe mutual inductance of two parallel wires
of

,__._..__>

Fig. 10.

"316

Bulletin of the

Bureau of Standards.

[voi.

same length and at a distance apart equal

geometrical mean distance of the two areas from one another.
or filaments of the

is

4,

no.

2.

to the

This

very nearly equal in the case of square sections to the distance

between their centers

greater for parallel squares, and a very

d.

We

(Fig. 10).

the g. m.

little

m.

being a very little

less for diagonal squares^

for all distances, the g.

d.

should, therefore, use equation (13) with <^ equal to

of the sections from one another; that is, substantially,

between the centers. For the two parallel square

rods 10 meters long and i cm square (Fig. 10) we have therefore
for the mutual inductance using (13), and taking R = 2.o cm,^
to the distances

^
1X4/I
= 2000
(logj
Az

= 2000

2000

i)

(6.90771)

--=11.815 microhenrys.

The
is

two such parallel bars

one minus twice their mutual

self-inductance of a return circuit of

equal to twice the self-inductance of

That

inductance.

is,

= 2(14.81211.815)
= 5.994
If

microhenrys.

they were adjacent to one another the self-inductance of the two

bars would be (their mutual inductance in that case being 13.190)

Z= 2(14.81213.190)
= 3.244

microhenrys.

These calculations are of course all based on the assumption of a

uniform distribution of current through the cross section of the conductors.
For alternating currents in which the current density is
greater near the surface the self-inductance is less but the mutual
inductance is substantially unchanged.
^
"^

Rosa, this Bulletin, 3, p. i.

Its more exact value is 2.0010, this Bulletin, 3,

p. 9.

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.'\

9.

The

Z^l

SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A SQUARE.

self-inductance of a square

may

be derived from the expres-

sion for the self and mutual inductance of finite straight wires from

the consideration that the self-in-

ductance of the square

is

the

sum

of the self-inductances of the four

sides

ances.

minus the mutual

That is,

induct-

L^^L^ \M
mutual inductance of two
mutually perpendicular sides being
Substituting a for / and d
zero.
in formulae (9) and (12) we have
the

T
filog
L^2a\

a^Ja^^p^

^^

2a\

log

V2

11.

+'=+-+^1
a
a

^^

Fie.

i"]

Neglecting /o7^^
2a

^_
A-^=2.[log^-^-^-^_..75+ V2+,

,-.

Z = 4(A-J^) = 8a^log^-log,IV^+^

or

Z = 8(log- +
r

where a

^"1

-0.3358]

^0.524)

(22)

{22a)

the length of one side of the square and p is the radius

of the wire.
If we put /= 4^ = whole length of wire in the square,
is

^=2/ (log -+^^1.910)

or,

Z= 2 /( log ~
r

1.

9 10), approximately.

(23)

Bulletiit

31

of the Bureau of Standards.

[Voi.

4,

no.

2.

Formulae (22) and (23) were first given by Kirchlioff^ in 1864.

If a\oo cm, p o.\ cm, we have from (22)

Z=8oo

(logg

10000.524)

= 5107 cm = 5. 107
If

/?

= .o5

cm,

Z= 5662
That
2

cm = 5.662

microhenrys.

the self inductance of such a rectangle of round wire

is,

about

microhenrys.

per cent greater for a wire

11

mm

is

in diameter than for one

mm in diameter.
If l\p is constant,

That

is, if

is

proportional to

the thickness of the wire

/.

proportional to the length

is

of the wire in the square, the self-inductance of the square is propor-

tional to its linear dimensions.

the above case where

If in

L= 1600
That

is,

double

(logg

for a square

its

= o.i, a^zoo

2000 0.524) = 2 X
200

cm on

a side,

{a)

cm,

5.662 microhenrys.

is

value for a square of 100 cm. on a

10.

The

|0

11

per cent more than

side.

SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A RECTANGLE.

The condttctor having a circular

section.

self-inductance of the rectangle of length a and breadth b

is

Z=2 {L,,^L^-Ma-M^)
where L^ and Z^ are the self-inductances of the two sides of length
a and b taken alone, J/^ and M^ are the mutual inductances of the
two opposite pairs of length a and ^, respectively.
^

Gesammelte Abhandlungen,

p. 176.

Pogg. Annal. 121, 1864.

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

j^osa.]

From

(9)

319

and (12) we therefore have, neglecting

Z=4

a log ?^-|^-}-p

-4|^log

LJ b log ^

/^7<^^

|^H-|0

b'
yja^'-^b'-^b

Putting ^a^-\-b^ d^ the diagonal of the rectangle,

Z =: 4

2ab
<^

lop^-

^- 3<2 -^+/^]
,

+4
Z= 4

or

^"^

<f

^log'p{b-{-d)

^ +p
4

a log (a-{-d)

(<2-[-^)log

log

(/^+(3^)

(24)

For ^ = 200 cm,

b= 100, = o.i
/3

^ = 8017.1 cm = 8.01 7
((^)

772^ conductor

For a rectangle made up

microhenrys.

having a rectangular

sectio7i.

of a conductor of rectangular section,

aX/S,

A=2 ra
;

log-

2^
?^H-^+o.2235(a+^)]
;

Fig. 12.
1

1737

07

10

and

of the Bureau of Standards.

Bulleti7t

320

L=2

{^Lg^-\- Li,

M^^ M^^

+ 0.2235

+ 0.2235
Putting as before

(a

ia-^b) log

= diagonal of

ab

~^
\o
p

is

log

a^b
^+2^+0.447
,

the rectangle, and assum-

uniform; that

(<2

a-\-

<^)

being natural in

(25), as

is,

that (a+/3)^

log ((5+<^)

f~\

(a+/3)

equivalent to Sumec's exact formula

of course

2.

/3)^,

<^=y'<2^4-'^^

[2
is

no.

(a+/3)J

ing that the section of the rectangle

This

4,

as before.

2ab

\voi.

(25)
^

(6a), the

elsewhere in this

logarithm

article.

For a b^d, square,

Z=8{log -^^-i+f-log (.+.V2)+o.2235 ^t^)]

If

a=

/3.

log^+447^ + -033j
If

<2 1000,

a= I,

Z = 8ooo [6.908 + .033]

= 8000x6.941 cm = 5 5. 5 3
^Blek.

microhenry s.

Zeit., p. 11 75, 1906.

(25^)

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.]

For a circular

section, of diameter

Z=8ooo

(lopf.
^

cm, p = o.^

2000+

2000

.c:24)
^ ^^

= 8ooox 7.076 cm = 56.61

a

little

11.

321

7nore than for a square section, as

microhenrys,

would be expected.

MUTUAL INDUCTANCE OF TWO EQUAL PARALLEL RECTANGLES.

and distance
For two equal parallel rectangles of sides a and
apart d the mutual inductance is the sum of the several mutual
Writing Mj^ for the mutual inducinductances of parallel sides.
tance of side I on 5, etc., we have
t?

Fig. 13.

M=2
From

(12)

(M,-M,,)-i-2{M,-M,,)

M,,^2hlog^^^'J^^-^d'^d'^d']
M,,= 2^dlog ^-^^^^;^^- - ^a^^.3-^^d'^^^
M,,= 2 [a

^28=2

log

a log

^^VJ^'- VZ+^^ + ^j
-

V^'+^'

V^' + Z^'+^'H- V^'+^'l

>

Bulleti7i

322

of the Bureau of Standards,

[ F<)/. ^,

A^>. 2.

V^'+^' \
^
\^^''^\a^4a^^b'-^d

+V^^+^^

(26)

For a square, where a b^ we have

(27)

and (27) may also be derived by

grating Neumann's formula around the rectangles/*^
Formula (26) was first given by F. E. Neumann ^^ in 1845.

These two formulae

12.

(26)

SELF AND MUTUAL INDUCTANCE OF THIN TAPES.

The self-inductance of

a straight thin tape of length

b (and of negligible thickness)

two

inte-

is

which

is

and breadth

equal to the mutual inductance of

parallel lines of distance apart

distance of the section,

R^ equal to the geometrical mean

0.22313

b^

'I

(1)

or log

(2)

<-h

R = log b-

Thus,
(3)

L2l\

2/

log

approximately

I
I

->

hi+g

(5)

(4)

(aS)

Fig. 14.

For two such tapes in the same plane, coming together

at their

edges

Webster, Electricity and Magnetism, p. 456. Wallentin, Theoretische ElektriFleming,

zitatslehre, p. 344.
^^ Allgemeine Gesetze der Inducirten Strome, Abh. Berlin Akad.
10

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

j^osa.]

without making electrical contact, the mutual inductance

M^2l\

log-y^

323
is

a/flog ^^-0.8863!
(29)

where Rg is the geometrical mean distance of one tape from the

For a return circuit made up
other, which in this case is 0.89252 b.
of these two tapes the self-inductance is

L^2L^2M
= 4M log

^') = 4^

5.545 X length
Thus the
width
^,

(30)

0/ one tape.

self-inductance of such a circuit

of the tapes.

R^ 1-95653 b
If

log, 4

If

independent of the

the tapes are separated by the distance

Z = 8.685

and

is

the two tapes are not in the same plane but parallel and at

a distance apart

between the tapes

(4) Fig. 14,

is

then the geometrical mean distance

given by the formula.

logi? = Jlogrf+i(i-|)log(*'+rf^) + 2^tan-ii

If

</=

b,

_|

(31)

(5) Fig. 9,

iogie,=iog^+|-|

(32)

log^i = log^-^

{2>Z)

For a single tape

IT

ivj

Hence log -^ - and

for the case

shown

at (5) Fig. 14,

Z = 2 A - 2M= A,l log

^
Rx

4/|=27r/

(34)

BiLlletin

324

of the Bureau of Standards.

In this case also the self-inductance of

the pair of thin strips
distance apart

much
-

is

is

is

27r

cm

{Voi.

no.

4,

2.

per unit of length of

independent of their width so long as the

The

equal to their width.

greater in this case than in the case

self-inductance

shown

is

as

in (2) Fig. 14, as

greater than log^ 4, or 1.13 times.

13.

If a

CASE OF TWO PARALLEL PLATES. NONINDUCTIVE SHUNTS.

manganin

thin sheet of

or other conductor

is

doubled on

itself

form a noninductive shunt we can calculate approximately

self-inductance bv the above method.
to

I^et

its

/= 30 cm

a\o cm
<7^=

By

(31)

Z = 4/(log

cm

log

^2= 1.0787

log

7?i

= logg

10 ^ = 0.8026

i?2 log i?J = 120x0.2761

= 33.13 cm
= .0331 microhenrys.
the resistance of the shunt

is

.001

frequency of the current through

it is

If

/^ = tan

Fig. 15.

and

(/),

<\>

ohm, and the

100 cycles

.02

the angle of lag of the current in the shunt behind the emf.

at the terminals

By bringing

is

approximately i?

If

;2=iooo, (^=12 nearly.

the two halves of the sheet nearer together

course be reduced considerably below 1 for 100 cycles.

</>

could of

This would

be desirable for high frequencies. If the sheet were used straight

in the above exainple the inductance would be six times as great,
unless a return conductor were near.

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

j?osa.]

325

USE OF THE GEOMETRIC MEAN DISTANCE.

14.

the approximate formula for the mutual inductance of two

Ill

parallel wires

M=-2l\ log

h^--^

we have

only one variable,

d.

In applying this to determine the

self-inductance of a thin, straight strip

that the self-inductance of a circuit

mutual inductances

sum

the

of the

component parts

123 h

10

current, each of these n^

-T,

if

inductances.

is

is

unity.

of all the

of the circuit; that

upon

itself

is,

and every

th

of the

^
n
16.

component inductances

the total current

the self-inductance

sum

there are n elements each carrying

If

Fig.

n\

use of the theorem

equal to the

of the inductances of every element

other element.

by

is

we make

Hence we

will be multiplied

see that the value of

the average value of the n^ separate mutual

But each mutual inductance

is

J/=2/(log2/-log^-i)

(35)

and third terms are constant, we have only to find

the average value of log d^ where d is the distance between every
pair of points in the straight line of length b which is the section of

and

the

as the first

strip.

Since

log <4-log

^2+

log

< U- log \d^d^d^,

= lo: V^i
= 100- i?

we

see that

what Maxwell

^2

called the geometrical

<^3

mean

.<

(^n

distance

n distances between
all the various pairs of points in the line., n being ijicreased to
This shows why the term
infinity in determining the value of R.

of the line is the

geometrical

mean

;^*^

root of the product

distance

was chosen.

of

the

Bulletin of the

326

Bureau of Standards.

\_voi. 4,

no.

2.

The more

exact formula (12) for the mutual inductance of two

straight parallel lines may be written

M= 2

log

[/

(/+V?+^')-/ log d--^P^d''^d'\

(36)

mean value of this expression for n pairs of points

along the line b we must find not only the mean value of log d^ but
also the mean value of d itself and of d'^.
The latter means will not
be the same as the geometrical mean distance R, but are the arithmetical mean distance and the arithmetical mea7i square distance.
In getting the

In order, therefore, to obtain an accurate value of the self-inductance

for the strip

we should determine

these arithmetical

mean

dis-

tances for the section of the strip.

DETERMINATION OF THE ARITHMETICAL MEAN DISTANCES OF A LINE.

15.

Let

mean

AB

and we first
the point P (AP = <;) from

be the line of length

distance Sj of

b^

find the arithmetical

all

the points of the

line.

5x

^
Fig. 17.

This

may

be done by integration, but the

points in the line to the right of

c

Hence

for the

whole

is,

m.

a.

d.

bc

obviously,

from P

and

to all

to the left

line

^5,

= ^^(^- .)+-"-.= (^^V 2

To

find Sg, the

a.

m.

d. of all

m. d. of the line from

Thus, putting cx^

a.

bS=
'

I
I

\2

points of the line from the line, or the

itself

we must

r-\dx =

x-\
^

b/

integrate Sj over the line.

223^
1

s,^-.

(38)

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

j?osa.]

327

Thus while the geometrical mean distance of a line is 0.22313 times

its length the arithmetical mean distance is one-third the length.
To find the arithmetical mean square distance S/'^ from the point
P to the line we integrate as follows
:

{x-cfdx =

bS,'=
Jo

cb'^^b
3

.-.

5,^

= |-.^+^^

(39)

b^

That

is,

the arithmetical

line to the line is

b'^JT,.

To

s.

find the a.

m.

d.

mean square

Also

S/ we

bS,'=

integrate again, changing c to

n^-dx + x'^dx^

now

in formula (36) above

of geometrical and arithmetical
If

distance from one end of a

jr,

b'

we make the proper substitutions

mean distances, we shall obtain a

more accurate expression for the self-inductance of a thin strip.

Since d is small compared with /, formula (36) is very nearly equal
to

L=2

[d^
log

2/- log

^-i-

dl
--2+Y

For log d put log

b~

"

d' put b'/6

"

d put

^/3

Bulletin of the Bitreau of Standards.

328

Then
which

is

breadth

2/

/fi

I
,

Vol.

4,

No.

2.

^^1
(42)

the self-inductance of a straight thin strip of length

and

b.

This formula neglects only terms in b^jl^^ and is therefore quite

The value previously found (equation 28) is the same
accurate.
Formula (28) is of course accurate
except for the last two terms.
enough for most cases; but it is interesting to see what the more
accurate expression

is

when we make

use of the arithmetical

mean

distances in getting the values of the terms neglected in the

first

approximation.
16.

SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A CIRCLE OF THIN STRIP.

and arithmetical mean

distances to obtain the self-inductance of a circular band of radius a
and width b. This is a short cylindrical current sheet, for which we
have the formula of Rayleigh
Let us apply the principle

L^^ira\['log
^-

of geometrical

8a

^log^+I^^

(43)

32a
^

!
1

1
1

1
1

Axis

i
1

I
1

Fig. 18.

formula gives some additional terms in b^jl^ and higher

powers, but when b is not more than one-fourth of a^ Rayleigh's
formula is correct to within about one part in 100,000, and may
therefore serve as a check on the method of geometrical and arithCoffin's

metical

mean

distances.

The mutual inductance

of

two

parallel

Indicctance of Linear Conductors.

J^osa.]

a and distance apart

and higher powers,
circles of radius

is,

329

neglecting terms in ^7^2*

which may be written

term and the

arithmetical mean square distance in the first and last terms we have
to know the mean value of a product of g. m. d. and a. m. s. d. in
the third term; that is, a term of the form
In addition to the

m.

g.

to be used in the second

d.

Si

To

get this

we must

log R,

integrate as follows:

.^[log(.-.)-g+flog.-g
d^S^^

log

i^2

= -I f

&

(^

(b

xYdx

-;i:)'^log

{dx)dx-\r-^

f6
I

(46)

x^ log

xdx

9J0'

x^dx

9J0

6V ^

12;

(47)

^/logi?, = |,'i^ogb-1^^

We may now substitute

in (39) as follows:
-?

log<3^=log^
^^
3(3^^

d^

log

<^= (log

(48)

Bulletin of the

330

Bureau of Standards.

ivoi.

4,

no.

2^

This gives

L AfiTa

I^ + 3&)

^^ ^'^-'^^
log-

32/

8<3;

/\.ira

'^\-h ('^ '-^2) -^-9&]

"^

-^
b

(49)

28^'J

This confirms the values of the

Rayleigh's equation (43).
quantities Sg^ and Sg^logRg employed in deducing the equation

which
(49)

is

from the formula (44)

17.

The

for

for

two

parallel circles.

ARITHMETICAL MEAN DISTANCES FOR A CIRCLE.

arithmetical

mean

distance of any point

ence of a circle from the circle

circumference.

is

the circumfer-

found by integrating around the

PB = 2<^

Thus, since

P on

TraS^

cos 6

2a cos 6 2ad6 /^a'

.

.:

S,=

4.a

(50)
IT

Since the

a.

of the circle

m.

d. is

the same for every point

we have

also

Fig. 19.

s,= 4^

(51)

TT

For the arithmetical mean square distance we have

nraS^'

4<2^ cos^

2ad62

ira^

2a'

(52)

and ^S^^ a^2

That

is,

the square root of the arithmetical

of every point

point

is

on a circumference

of

square distance

a circle from every other

equal to the radius of the circle into

For a point P outside or inside the

mean

circle

tl:e

we

square root of

have, since

2.

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

J?osa.]

PB = a^
TT^O,
S,'

-\-

=a

Z2>^

d^ -{- 2ad COS 6

{a'-\-d'-^2adcose)d0 = '7ra(d^-i-a'^

.'.S,'

= d'^a

(53)

Fig. 20.

For the

entire area of the circle with respect to the point

If

d=

<9,

Sj^

a
=

S,'^d'+-

(54)

the value for the area of the circle with respect to

the center of the

circle.

For the area

itself, the a. m.

of
s.

with respect to
S/ would be found by

d.,

circle

integrating P^Pl' = r^-\-r^2 r^r^ cos {0^0^

twice over the area of the

circle.

This was done in effect by Wien^^ in getting his formula for the self-inductance of a
circle, which is a little more accurate than
the formula deduced by the use of geometrical

mean

when the geometrical mean

mean distances.

distances only,

for the arithmetical

These examples are

distances are used

sufficient to illustrate the differences in the

values of the geometrical

12

^'

mean

distances and the arithmetical

M. Wien: Wied, Annal. 53,

p. 928, 1894.

mean

BulletiJt

33^

distances,

of

and the use

the

Bureau of Standards.

Vol.

4,

of the latter in the calculation of self

No.

2.

and

mutual inductances.
CONCENTRIC CONDUCTORS.

18.

a^

The self-inductance of a thin,

is, when a^\l is very small,

straight tube of length

/and radius

log
A =2/ ^^|-^]

The mutual inductance

is

equal to

its

of

(55)

such a tube on a conductor within

it

self-inductance, since all the lines of force due to

the outer tube cut through the inner

The

cessation of current.

suppose a solid cylinder,

when they

collapse on the

self-inductance of the inner conductor,

is

A=2/[logJ^-|]
the current goes through the latter and

If

returns through the outer tube the self-induct-

ance of the circuit

since

Fig. 22.

is,

Af equals L^

Z=2/

hS+i]

(56)

This result can also be obtained by integrating the expression for

the force outside a^ between the limits a^ and a^^ and adding the
term (equation 6) for the field within a^^ there being no magnetic
field

outside

a^.

Thus

U
If

'''+i =

^^[<y^ as above.

ax

the outer tube has a thickness a^

uted uniformly over

its

a^

and the current

is distrib-

cross section the self-inductance will be a

Inductance of Linear Conductoi^s.

Rosa.-]

little greater,

which

is

the geometrical

now more than

a^

mean

and

2)Z?>

distance from a^ to the tube,

than

less

a^,

being given by the

expression
log

logg a

_<23

log"

<^2

a,j
CL^

(57)

^2

Putting this value of log a in (56) in place of

log ^, we should have the self-inductance of
the return circuit of Fig. 23.
If the current is alternating and

of very

high frequency, the current would flow on the

outer surface of a-^ and on the inner surface
of the tube, and L for the circuit would be
t

Fig. 23.

L2I log

a.
a.

MULTIPLE CONDUCTORS.

19.

If

(58)

be

a current

divided

equally between two

radius p and distance d apart,

the self-inductance of the divided conductor is the

wires of length

sum

/,

of their separate self-inductances plus twice

mutual inductance.
Thus, when d\l is small.

their

U
9

or

\-

hffl-^h?-]!

L 4^g(4i~8]=4'^(^^"']

where

Tg is the g.

m.

d. of

^^""^

the section of the wire =

0.7788/9.

there are three straight conductors in paraland distance d apart, as shown in Fig. 24, the

If
lel

Fig. 24.

self-inductance is similarly

L = 2/1

2/
2\1
'"^ {r,d^)

']

(60)

BulletiJi

334

The

expression {rgd^)z

of the Bureau of Standards.

the g. m.

is

For example, suppose in the

di cm. Then (rjy<^^)3 = 0.538

Z=20oo
J.

d.

2.

/= looo cm, p2 mm,

"I

= 2000x7.221 cm= 14.442

If

No.

cm and

2000

loefe

Vol. 4,

of the multiple conductor.

case

last

microhenrys.

the whole current flowed through a single one of the three

conductors the self-inductance would be

Z,= 20oo

loge

=17.92 microhenrys,

more than when divided among the three.

Guye has shown ^^ how, by the principle of the geometrical mean
distance, one can calculate very readily the self-inductance for any
number of similar conductors in multiple when they are distributed
or about 25 per cent

in a circle, Fig. 25.

If

there are n conductors uniformly spaced on a circle the geo-

metrical

mean
lo

distance

^_

^g

of the

log

r^-\-7t

system
log

(r,,

is

given by
r^)

r,3

11^

(log

r,

+ log

(r,,. r,3

r,,i) )

(61)

11

Fig. 25.

where
radius)

and

r^ is

and

2, etc.

the g. m.
r^g is

If

d. of

a single conductor

= 0.7788/9,

p being

its

the distance between centers of the conductors

is

the radius of the circle on which the conductors

are distributed
C. E.

Guye, Comptes Rendus, 118,

p. 1329;

1894.

hiductance of Linear Conductors.

j^osa.]

7?= log

log

R = (r^

or

The

335

{r^na''~^^

^^^)

na"-'y

proof of this, as given by Guye, depends on the following

theorem:
If

the circumference of a circle

the points A, B, C,

OA

and

divided into n equal parts by

is

be any point on the line through

(inside or outside the circle), then putting

X"a" = MKMB

Making

MN

(Cotes's theorem).

MA = ^,

Dividing by
x"-'

OM x

.r

+ ax"-'^

coincide with
7td'-'

x\,

MC

MN

and hence x^a^

= AB
"12

which substituted

d'-^^MB

AC
^13

AN
(^\-n

in (61) gives (62).

Since the self-inductance of a length

of the multiple

system

is

equal to
\

L^2l
we

(63)

see that the calculation for

are given.

Thus, suppose

a2

ri;2<^"~^

2/

any case

is

simple

when

cm, p = o.^ cm, and

7z

/?,

<2,

and n

= 6,

= o.3894 X 6 X 32

^ = (74-765)^=2.0525
If

the separate conductors have only half the diameter supposed,

namely, ^ = 0.25, the

g.

m.

d.

will be considerably less.

case
7?

1173707

II

= (0.1947 X

192)^=1.8285 cm.

In this

?>?>^

Bulletin of the Biireaic of Standards.

Thus, in the

first case,

ductors

is

Vol.

4.

No.

2.

the self-inductance of the six parallel con-

equal to that of a thin tube of radius 2.0525 cm, and in

the second case to that of

a tube

1.8285 cm.

of radius

As n

and p decreases the value of R approaches 2 cm as a limit,

the multiple conductors forming in the limit a tube of infinitesimal
thickness, the value of R for which is its radius /7, in this case 2 cm.
If a larger conductor at the center carries the going current, and
the return is by the multiple conductor, the mutual inductance of
the larger upon the others is
increases

M=2l\
since the g. m.

d.

each of the others

The

Fig. 26.

w here

.'.

log

1
I

of the

(64)

central conductor on

a.

is

self-inductance of the return system

A = 2/

logf-^]
a.

A=2/

log

M=2l

log

Z=2/

log

2/ log
2/

{f\7ia" ^)"

cm, a^i cm,

Z=: 2000

^0

= 0.5,

--log

log,

;/

_
(^^1^^^"

')"

(65)

4_

4-loge (2.0525) +

^
microhenrys.

the inner conductor were surrounded by a very thin tube of

radius 2

cm for a return,

of the return circuit

in place of the six wires, the self-inductance

would be

Z=2ooo [log
I

a^

(66)

\-

4.

= 2000 X 0.9431 cm = 1.886

a

+"

= 6, /= 1000 cm

= 20oox 0.9173= 1.835

If

"1

For a =

is

little

greater than in the preceding case.

microhenrys,

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.

If

the

shown

^^

central

how

arrangement

conductor

is

Guye has
two when the

also a multiple system,

mutual inductance of the

symmetrical, the g. m. d. of the two systems being

to find the
is

2>ll

derived by the aid of Cotes's theorem.

In this case

log^,. = ^^log-<'0
or

R,.,--=^(a,l'

a;^J'

(67)

Fig. 27.

Thus,

if

a^^^2 cm,

a^\ cm, and

7?=:

;/

= 6,

(64- if =1.9947

and as n increases R^g approaches 2 as a limit, as it would be for

two concentric tubes of radii i and 2. R^ and Rg for the two separate systems being given by (62) and R^^ b)' (67), the self-inductance
of a return circuit with one system for the going current and the
other for the return is readily calculated, being

(68)

These examples are sufficient to illustrate the calculation of the

self and mutual inductance of multiple circuits b}' the principle of
the geometrical

mean

distance.

Bulletin of the Bttremc of Standards.

338
20.

[voi.

4,

no.

2.

SELF-INDUCTANCE OF A ''NONINDUCTIVE" WINDING OF ROUND WIRES.

Suppose a to-and-fro winding of insulated wire in a plane, the

length of each section being /, the distance apart of the adjacent
5
1

-<
i

i4

>
j

>
1

C/^'
I

<

a>

'

\o

Fig. 28.

and the wire

wires, center to center, being d^

resultant self-inductance of one of the wires

inductance of the wire taken by

itself

radius

of

is

The

p.

equal to the

self-

plus the mutual inductance

upon it. The mutual inductance of wires 2, 2',

4, 4', 6, 6', etc., upon wire A at the middle of the group tends to
increase the self-inductance of A, while the mutual inductance of
of all the others

3^ 5) 5^ ^^^') tends to decrease

Hence, if L^ is the self-inductance of A
mutual inductance of wire i on A, etc.,
resultant self-inductance of wire A of
I)

^')

3)

the self-inductance of A.

by

itself

we have
length

and M^

L^

for
/

the

is

the

the total

following

expression
L^^

= L^-^2M^^2M^+2M,-^

2A/5 2M,

-^2M,,^_,

2M^2M^

M,^

= {L-M,)-{M-M,)-{M-AQ-{M-M,)-

....

^{][I,-M,) + {M-M,)-{-{M-M,)^

= 2/

loo; - 4- -

2/

4-2/ log

2/

4.

log:

1+2/

2/ loo: -

log

^+2/ log^+

2/

\i-3-5-7---/

log-

(69)

....

''V2-4-6.8..7

Inductance of Linear Conductors.

Rosa.]

or

^.a/flog
L

(where 2n

is

-^+-^-3log(^--4-6-g-;(---^M]

the whole

number

A depends

i^ 3^
'

2'
is

infinite/*

(70)
^^

^Vi.3.5.7....(;^-2y;^/J

/^

where the constant

when n
number

339

4'

we

of wires)

on the whole number

5:1 "" (2^-i)(2;g +i)

{2ny
e

see that equation (70)

of wires.

Since

it

becomes

for

an infinite

of wires

^=2/[log^+J-log|]

This formula (72) was first given by Mr. G. A. Campbell.^^ He

has recently communicated to me by letter his (unpublished) demonstration, which is different from that given above and gives the
value of L for an infinite number of wires and not for any finite
number, which is the more important case.

For 2n2^

A =0

2n \^A =loge2
2/2

= 6, y^

=.6931

=.2876

z=loge3

2/^=IO,

^ = log,-^

=.3522

2/^=14,

^=log,?^

=.3804

2^=18,

A2

=. ?q6i

^*Loney's Trigonometry

log-g

105

II, p. 155.

World, 44, p. 728; 1904. There is an error in this formula as originally

printed; it should have //2 for coefficient instead of /.
^^

Elect.

Bulletin of the Bitreati of Standards.

340

2/^=38,^=

271

CO

A \og^

Vol.

4,

A'o.

2.

=4253
=4373

= 7o, ^=

2;2

TT

4516

Thus we
of

such

gle pair,

d
loge

by the quantity

=
1

-H

2 A/.

die wire

1-35) approximately,

is

much when there is

when there is a single

much

if

Z^^_L^^M, + M,-M,^M-

= 2/
4j

= 2/ log-+ -+ w( 3

'

5' 7'-- \

= 2/ log-+'-^']
P

A-^

4-

-7

log,

for 211

\og^~

"

=6

2;/

etc.

For the next

to the

end wire

log

H-.-'A

2l\

where

such that

of the

a great
pair,

2,p^

mid-

A^ \o<g^~

for 2/^

=4

= loge

"

2;/

= 6,

etc.

For the second from end wire

A^ \o^,
s

15

for 2?2

=8

number

and about

there are 10 such wires (5 pairs).

self-inductance of the end wire will be more, being

three-fourths as

where

is

and the self-mductance

about two-thirds as

such wires side by side as

The

the winding

If

P
of

see that the resultant self-inductance of the middle wire

"
noninductive " system is always less than that of a sina

Inductance of Lineaj^ Conductors.

Rosa.]

341

These examples show how the self-indiictaiice of any particular

wire of such a winding- may be computed and the average or total
For a large number the average value of A would
value found.
evidently not be far from 0.40.
CASE OF NONINDUCTIVE WINDING ON A CIRCULAR CYLINDER.

21.

The

self-inductance of a single circular turn

would be approxi-

mately
[log ^-1.75]
-I
A = 47rdlog

where a

is

the wire.

the radius of the circle and p

is

The mutual inductance M^

two adjacent turns

Af^

where d

is

of

= ^7ra\[log
--^ 2
log 5-2],
,

is

close only so long as

M^ = 4'7ra\log

Similarly

M^ Jf^ = 47r<2(log

^L-M- {M, - M,) +

= 47rd

log ^-^^

= 47r

log

^/>

47rrt
2

log

= 47r[log^+^-^]

is

approximately,

This
small compared with a.

the distance between centers of the two turns.

approximation

where

the radius of section of

(J/,

and hence

2)

- M,) - (M, - M,)

log 2

log ^4- log =

'^
I

is

'-

'

for 2^/

'^^^~//
I

for

= 8 turns

2n turns

^V-3-5--'{j^-2yn}\
(73)

has the same values as in the case of parallel straight wires

laid noninductively in a plane, provided the length of the coil is
small compared with the radius, so that the approximate formula

Bulletin of the BiLreau of Standards.

342
for

The

sufficiently exact.

is

values of

number

the end wire and depend on the

of the particular wire in the winding.

proportion to the length of the

no.

2.

and the position

the radius

the constant

coil,

4,

are positive except for

of wires

If

ivoi.

not large in

is

is

little less

be noted that the selfinductance of such a winding does not depend on the size of the

than for the wires in a plane.

ratio -

on the

wire, but

It is

to

.
,

so that

if

a fine wire has a proportionally

9
close spacing its self-inductance is the same.

self-inductance

Taking

is

For a given pitch the

of course greater as the wire is finer.

approximately equal to 0.40

for the entire spool as

formula {^'^ becomes

Z=2/
where

is

log

approximately

o. 1 5

the self-inductance of a " noninductive " winding in a

plane or on a cylinder of any radius,

wire, p

is

(74)

center to center.
cision, so that

being the total length of the

mean distance between adjacent turns,

In practice d p can not be obtained with great pre-

radius and

the

an accurate value

Moreover, the precise value of

of the constant

is

not necessary.

such a winding

for

is

seldom or

never required.

spool of 200 turns of wire with a

would have a self-inductance

i cm, dip = 4, (taking A = 0.4)

of

0.15) X 200
(1.386 0.15)

L-=/[7ra (logg 4

=:8o07r

= 3100 cm = 3. 1

microhenrys.

Since deriving the above expressions Mr. Campbell has sent

me an

mean value of the constant A for a noninductive

plane for any number of wires.
His demonstration is

expression for the

winding in a
as follows:

Take 2n

straight conductors, each of radius

p,

lying in a plane

with adjacent wires at distance d center to center as before, the current traversing adjacent wires

in opposite

directions.

We may

regard this as a system of n circuits, each consisting of two adjacent

wires.

The

total

inductance will be equal to

7t

times the

self-

inductance of one of the circuits plus 2 {711) times the mutual

Inductance of TJucai^ Conductors.

Rosa.}

inductance of two adjacent circuits

plUvS

two times the mutual inductance

of

343
phis

extreme

circuits.

That

is,

per unit of length of the system:

Ln

(4

loo^

-|-i
jO

1^2 {n\)

--"^+2(;/

2 log-

2.2
,

+ 2.2
^,n flog ^+1^+4

log

log

izn
)

(2/2

2)' 2 lo^r

"^"-^
1

44

3) (2?/ i)
^f)(2/22)[
2)

(^--3)(^^^-^)]

[(^Y'T'^'V-

or for a total length of wire /

fc=ji

Z=a/[log

U\-l^ in-k)
= 2/

log

--

log

^-1^]

+7 log ^+
2
4
4

o.5772+log(7^-i)

4^

The

(75)

(;2 i)

approximately

(76)

formula (71) as calculated by Mr.

Campbell for various numbers of pairs of wires are given in the fol-

lowing

value of the constant

of

table:

TABLE
The Constant
Value

of

for

I.

Formula

by

(71)
Value of A by
F(jrmula (75)

Formula

.000

10

.350

.144

15

.377

.213

20

.392

.255

25

.402

.283

30

.409

.304

00

.436

.319

200

.443

.332

300

.446

.342

(75)

Infinity

.452

Bulletin of the Bin^eaic of Standards.

344

As
same

formula {j^) is very nearly the

and hence the same values may be used for approx-

stated above, the constant

as in (71),

[Voi.4,no.2.

of

imate calculations.

The above

by no means exhaust the subject of the self and

mutual inductance of linear conductors enough has been given,
however, to serve in some measure as a guide in solving other cases
results

arising in practice.

Washington, September

15, 1907.