Mutual Inductance can't occur without Self Inductance | Difference

Hey, today we are going to know an interesting and confusing fact about Self Inductance or Self Induction, Mutual Inductance or Mutual Induction. It is a very important and basic knowledge of the magnetic circuit which you must have. Electrical engineering will be very easy for you if you have clear basic knowledge, it will help you to understand any complex topic of electrical engineering.

First of all, let's know what is Inductance?

The property of an inductor or any coil by virtue of which it opposes the changes in current flowing through it is called Inductance. When an alternating current flows through a coil, the changing magnetic flux will occur. When those magnetic fluxes cut the conductors of that coil an EMF will be induced which opposes the change in current.

Self Inductance or Self Induction

When an alternating current flows through a coil, the changing magnetic flux occurs which cuts the conductors of that coil, as a result, an EMF will be induced. This induced EMF will oppose the changes in the current. The EMF opposes the changes in current for which it is induced.

So self-induction occurs in a single inductor or coil. In simple words, self-inductance is called the inductance that occurs in a coil due to the current flowing in the same coil.

Read Also: How EMF is induced? Types of induced EMF.

Mutual Inductance or Mutual Induction

When two coils are kept nearby in parallel and power supply is given in one coil only, then flux produced in that coil will cut the conductors of both coils. As a result, an EMF will be induced in both coils. So the induction of EMF in a coil due to the flux of another coil is called mutual induction.

Here you can see in the below figure, two coils are taken and kept nearly. Only coil 1 is energized by the power supply.

Here you can see the flux produced in coil 1 cuts the conductors of both coils so EMF also induces in both coils. Here, the induction of EMF in coil 1 is called self-induction and the induction of EMF in coil 2 is called mutual induction.

Why Mutual Inductance can't occur without Self Inductance?

We already know that mutual inductance occurs when the magnetic flux produced in a coil causes induced emf in another coil. So it is clear that when two coils are kept nearly, first self-induction occurs in that coil which is energized by the power supply then mutual inductance occurs in another nearby coil.

Read Also: [Explained] Why Inductor block AC and Capacitor block DC?

Difference Between Self Inductance and Mutual Inductance

Self Inductance	Mutual Inductance
Self Inductance occurs in a coil due to the current flowing in the same coil.	Mutual Inductance occurs in a coil due to current flowing in another neighboring coil.
Self Inductance opposes and limits the flow of current in a coil.	Mutual Inductance causes to flow of current in a coil.
First, self-inductance occurs then mutual inductance occurs.	Mutual inductance cannot occur without self-inductance.
Self-Inductance depends upon the current flowing through it and no. of turns of the coil.	Mutual inductance depends upon the no of turns of the coil and the distance between two nearby coils.
Self Inductance occurs in coils and inductors when they are supplied with alternating current.	Mutual Inductance occurs in Transformers, Induction Motors, etc.

Read Also: Why Resistance of a Winding or Coil always measured with DC not AC?

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