Choke (electronics)

For other uses, see Choke (disambiguation).

A choke, with two 47mH windings and rated to handle 0.6A

A choke is a coil of insulated wire, often wound on a magnetic core, used as a passive inductor which blocks higher-frequency alternating current (ac) in an electrical circuit while passing signals of much lower frequency and direct current by having an impedance largely determined by reactance, which is proportional to frequency (see Inductor and Inductance). Chokes are typically used as the inductive components in electronic filters.

The name comes from blocking—"choking"—high frequencies while passing low frequencies. It is a functional name; the same inductor is often called a "choke" if used to block higher frequencies, but a "coil" or "inductor" if, say, part of a tuned circuit.

Types and construction

An MF or HF radio choke for tenths of an ampere, and a ferrite bead VHF choke for several amperes.

Chokes used in radio circuits are divided into two classes – those designed to be used with power and audio frequencies, and the others to be used with radio frequencies.

Audio frequency coils, usually called A.F. chokes, usually have ferromagnetic iron cores to increase their inductance. Chokes were used as filters, in conjunction with large electrolytic capacitors, in power supplies; working at low power-line frequencies they were large, heavy, and expensive, but more effective and power-efficient than resistor-capacitor hum filters. Modern components and circuits, with very large and cheap electrolytic capacitors and electronic circuits which suppress hum, have long made chokes obsolete in mains-frequency power supplies, although small and inexpensive inductors are used in high-frequency switch-mode power supplies.

Chokes for higher frequencies often have iron powder or ferrite cores (see Ferrite bead). They are often wound in complex patterns (basket winding) rather than regularly to reduce self-capacitance. Chokes for even higher frequencies have non-magnetic cores and low inductance.

Common-mode choke

Common-mode choke coils^{[clarification needed]} are useful in a wide range of prevention of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) from power supply lines and for prevention of malfunctioning of electronic equipment. They pass differential currents (equal but opposite), while blocking common-mode currents.^[1]

Solid-state chokes

Solid-state chokes (SSC)^{[clarification needed]} can manage higher currents than simple passive inductors.

References

1. ^ http://www.murata.com/products/emc/knowhow/pdf/26to30.pdf

External links

• Chokes Explained
• Common Mode Choke Theory