High Frequency Magnetic Components

ABOUT HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSFORMERS AND INDUCTORS

high frequency transformer
High frequency transformers and inductors operate with the same fundamental principles as 50/60Hz transformers and inductors. High frequency electrical power conversion applications such as SMPS (switch mode power supplies) use frequencies from 20kHz to over 1MHz. In its simplest form, a coil is wound around a magnetic core creating a magnetic field. However, operating at a higher frequency provides benefits, such as a smaller size for a given power rating. In general, the higher the operating frequency, the smaller the inductor/ high frequency power transformer. Having a smaller HF transformer/inductor reduces the mean length per turn resulting in less copper wire needed, thus reducing the I2R losses of the windings, making the transformer/inductor more efficient.
A wide variety of geometries are available for high frequency magnetics such as:
  • EE ferrite cores: ee16 core, ee19 core, ee25 core, ee35 core, ee42 core, and ee55 core.
  • EI ferrite cores: EI12.5, EI16, EI19, EI2, EI22, EI25, EI28, EI30, EI33, EI35, EI40, EI50 and EI60.
  • EER ferrite cores: EER25.5, EER28, EER28L, EER35, EER40, EER42, and EER49.
  • ETD ferrite cores: ETD19, ETD24, ETD29, ETD34, ETD39, ETD44 and ETD49.
  • Toroidal ferrites, MPP, iron powder, amorphous, and Sendust.
  • Pot core ferrite - pot core inductors and pot core transformers.
  • Ferrite drum core.
  • Ferrite rods.
There are many options which allow for a HF transformer/inductor to be adapted for almost any application or a specific form factor. In some cases, cores are not needed at all and a simple high frequency air core Inductor / air core choke is acceptable. Our high frequency transformers and inductors are designed to thermal class A, B, F or H depending on applications or standards needed.
Insulation / Thermal Class Max temperature (°C) Reference max ambient temperature (°C) Max temperature rise (°C)
A 100 40 75
E 115 90
B 120 95
F 140 115
H 165 140
C >165 >140
The insulation class takes into account the temperature rise of the windings and insulation above the existing ambient temperature. These classes describe the insulating materials' operating temperature ratings. Letter classifications are used for different designations of system temperatures in degrees Celsius. The system temperature is the maximum temperature at the hottest spot in the winding. Standard features of our magnetics include insulation voltages up to 6kV, double insulated materials, and class F (155°C) or class H (180°C) insulation. transformer insulation class temperature Design parameters needed for a high frequency power transformer:
  1. Choose a core.
  2. Based on the cores’ flux density, calculate the number of primary turns needed.
  3. Using the ratio of primary to secondary voltage, calculate the number of secondary turns.
The number of turns for a high frequency power transformer is derived by: N = V x108/(4.44)(F)(B)(Ae) Where:
N = Primary turns F = Frequency in Hz B = Flux density in Gauss Ae = Cross sectional area of the core (cm2)

COMMON MODE CHOKES

A common mode choke serves as an efficient way to filter in-phase supply lines and enabling equipment to meet strict electrical radiation specifications. It helps filter and block high-frequency, common mode current noise in the supply lines. High frequency noise can potentially damage other electrical components or devices in your system if left unfiltered.
CA Series – Common Mode ChokesFeatures
  • Made with custom mounting (TH or SMD)
  • Designed to meet specific inductance requirements
  • Engineered for higher current ratings
  • Manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility
CA Series Common Mode Toroidal Chokes – Datasheet.
ca series common
CLJ-2 Series – Miniature SMD Common Mode Double ChokesThis common mode choke line is designed for SMD (surface mount) applications and is packaged for pick and place compatibility. Our team has more than 20 years of manufacturing experience so your SMD products provide consistent and reliable coplanarity.
We offer many standard options as a direct drop-in solution. Other inductance values, higher current ratings and special high-temp designs (150°C ambient temperatures) are available upon request. Features
  • Surface mount design (can convert to TH upon request)
  • High attenuation over a broad frequency range up to 500 MHz
  • Available as a sector (suffix S) winding or bifilar winding design
  • (Sector: provides less capacitance between windings)
  • (Bifilar: provides better coupling between windings, less leakage)
  • Fully RoHS compliant
  • Meet lead-free reflow level J-STD-020C
  • Manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility
CLJ-2 Series Miniature SMD Common Mode Double Chokes – Datasheet.
clj 2 series miniature smd
CMJ Series – SMD Miniature Common Mode ChokesThe CMJ common mode choke series is also designed for SMD (surface mount) applications and pick and place compatibility. As with our CLJ-2 Series, our CMJ series provides excellent coplanarity, which means you don’t have to worry about mounting issues. Features
  • Miniature, low-cost solution
  • High attenuation over a wide frequency range
  • Manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility
CMJ Series SMD Miniature Common Mode Chokes – Datasheet.
cmj series smd miniature common mode chokes

TOROIDAL INDUCTORS AND TOROIDAL CHOKES

toroidal inductors
We provide an extensive range of high frequency toroidal inductors and toroidal chokes. Our standard lines offer a broad range of sizes, inductance, current ratings, and designs are available for surface mount and through-hole applications. Applications include SMPS filters, DC/DC converters, energy storage devices, and differential mode and common mode filtering.
DP Series The DP Series is an efficient, economical alternative to conventional chokes or inductors. Used in energy storage and EMI filtering, these low-radiation inductors effectively control AC output ripple in power supplies. They’re available in a wide range of current ratings and inductance values. Features
  • Include hot-solder leads for simple PC board mounting
  • Operating frequency of up to 100kHz
  • Built-in ISO 9001 and TS-16949 certified facility
  • RoHS compliant
DP Series Toroidal Power Inductors - Datasheet
toroidal choke

SH SERIES - TOROIDAL INDUCTORS - NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTORS SIMPLE SWITCHER ™

Our SH toroidal Inductor lines are designed to be used with National Semiconductors Simple Switcher, at switching frequencies of 50kHz, 150kHz, and 260kHz. These series offer high energy storage capabilities, with minimal saturation risks and they provide great stability between no-load operations and full-load. They’re designed for continuous operation and are manufactured in ISO 9001 certified facilities.
sh series toroidal inductors national semiconductors simple switcher tm
SH260 Toroidal Inductor Series These toroidal inductors are an economical option to use with the National Semiconductors Simple Switcher ™ 260kHz series. Features
  • Available in SMD and TH versions
  • Compatible with part number LM267X-L45 through LM267X-L50 and LM267X-L41
  • Meet reflow J-STD-020C standard
  • RoHS compliant
SH260 Series Inductors for National Semiconductors 260kHz Simple Switcher ™ - Datasheet
sh260 toroidal inductor series
SH150 Toroidal Inductor Series These toroidal chokes are designed to use with the National Semiconductors Simple Switcher ™ 150 kHz series. Features
  • Available in both SMD and TH versions
  • Operate in temperatures from -40°C to 125°C
  • Compatible with part numbers LM259X-L1 to LM259X-L44 and LM258X-L
  • Meet reflow J-STD-020C standard
  • RoHS compliant
SH150 Series Chokes for National Semiconductors 150kHz Simple Switcher ™ - Datasheet
sh150 toroidal inductor series

HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

high frequency current sensors
Our high frequency current transformers provide a low-cost solution to measure high electrical currents without touching or breaking the circuit. These current transformers (current sensing devices) are used primarily for safety reasons, transforming the circuit’s line current into a proportionally reduced current that is easily measured. Current sensors isolate your measuring instruments from potentially high currents in the circuit. Often in power applications, current sensors are used in protective relays and metering. They’re ideal for isolating current feedback signals in switching power supplies, motor current load or overload detection, lighting applications, and sonar current applications.
AS Current Sensor Series AS Series is designed as a low-cost solution for any control system and most AC current monitoring/measuring applications. The current sensors can serve as the feedback elements from SMPS outputs and the pulse control module. These AC current sensors are manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility, and they meet VDE standards. Features
  • Fully encapsulated for better protection
  • Surface mount design (can convert to TH, upon request)
  • RoHS compliant
  • 2500Vac isolation between primary line and secondary winding
  • Primary current rating up to 30amps
  • Operating frequency range from 20kHz to 200kHz
AS Series Current Sense Transformers - Datasheet
high frequency current transformers

POT CORE TRANSFORMERS

pot core transformer
These ferrite core transformers/ferrite core inductors confine the magnetic field of the HF transformer windings to within the boundaries of the core. It also protects the transformer windings from the effects of intruding magnetic fields from the outside of the core, providing extremely good EMI characteristics. Additional magnetic shields can be added around the outside of the pot core transformer, to provide improved field containment and protection from external interference. This same concept applies to pot powder core inductors.

PULSE TRANSFORMERS

pulse transformer
For high frequency applications, these are typically ferrite core transformers. These transformers allow the transmission of electrical pulses with fast rise and fall times at a comparatively constant amplitude. One key design goal of a Pulse transformer is to minimize distortion of the pulse shape. To achieve this minimal distortion, a low value of leakage inductance and distributed capacitance is needed along with a high open-circuit inductance. It is also important to design with a high insulation resistance because of the high voltage created from the pulse edges. To provide low switching losses in power semiconductors, a good transient response is essential to maintain a rectangular pulse shape on the secondary. As in most power applications, it is important to protect the primary side of the circuit from high-powered transients created by the load, along with dielectric isolation between drive controller and power output circuits. This is accomplished by designing a pulse transformer with low coupling capacitance between the primary and secondary.

FERRITE ROD CORE/ FERRITE DRUM CORE INDUCTORS

ferrite rod core inductors
This is a ferrite core inductor constructed with single or multi-layer windings on a ferrite drum core or ferrite rod core. Leads can be on the same or opposite ends of the core. These are used in power and RF applications. They are made in many core materials including ferrite and powdered iron. Unlike air core inductor/air core choke the magnetic field is not contained in the core. Both rod and bobbin shapes are supplied in tape and reel packaging for auto-placement.

HIGH FREQUENCY AIR CORE INDUCTORS

air core choke
An air core inductor/ air core choke does not use a magnetic core made of a ferromagnetic material. Coils are wound on a nonmagnetic material such as plastic or ceramic. They can also be self-supporting by using bondable magnet wire. This is done so that there is only air inside the windings. It is important to firmly support the coil such that the mechanical vibration of the windings does not cause variations in the inductance. Typical applications are for high frequencies and low inductance requirements where the core losses from ferromagnetic materials would be too high.