This circuit uses the versatile MAX038 function generator. Although in this circuit some of the advanced characteristics of this IC are disabled, you can generate Sine, Triangle, Square waves (adjusting A0 and A1 pins see datasheet on www.maxim-ic.com if you want other waves, use a switch). The signal is amplified through a TCA0372 (from ONSEMI) Power opamp with current capability up to 1A and bandwitch up to 1 MHz. I selected this particular frequency (122 Khz) because i needed a cheapo ESR-o-meter for my electrolytic capacitors to monitor their health as they have to discharge tens of amperes in less than 2 ms. At 122 KHz capacitive reactance is very low, and inductive reactance isn't so high, so forcing a current (es 200mA, using a precision resistor) through a capacitor and reading AC voltage drop accross it gives me an estimation of ESR (Vdrop/current). Of course inductive and capacitive reactance are still present, but negligible.

We know that every inductor coil has a certain amount of resistance and the coil should have lowest possible resistance. The ratio of the inductive reactance to the effective resistance of the coil is called the quality factor or Q-factor of the coil. A high value of Q is always desirable as it means high inductive reactance and low resistance. A

We know that every inductor coil has a certain amount of resistance and the coil should have lowest possible resistance. The ratio of the inductive reactance to the effective resistance of the coil is called the quality factor or Q-factor of the coil. A high value of Q is always desirable as it means high inductive reactance and low resistance. Alow value of Q indicates

Wrap hundreds of turns of magnet wire around the paper tube. Connect this home-made inductor in series with an AC power supply and lamp to form a circuit. When the tube is empty, the lamp should glow brightly. When the steel bar is inserted in the tube, the lamp dims from increased inductance (L) and consequently increased inductive reactance (XL). Try using bars of different materials, such as copper and