Coilformers

A coil former is a component used in electrical engineering to hold and protect a coil. It usually consists of a cylindrical or rectangular housing made of insulating material such as plastic or ceramic. Inside the bobbin is the actual wire winding that forms the coil.

The coil former is used to protect the coil from external influences such as shocks, moisture or electromagnetic interference. It also serves to define the winding space and hold the wire wrap in place to ensure proper functioning of the coil.

Coilformers are used in a variety of applications, such as transformers, inductors, relays, electromagnets, switches and sensors. They play an important role in providing electrical energy, signal transmission or magnetic force in electronic devices and systems.

A bobbin is usually manufactured by injection molding. Liquid plastic is injected into a mold and then cured. The mold for the bobbin can be made of either metal or plastic.

The material used to make a bobbin can vary depending on the application. Commonly used materials are plastics such as polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP) or polyoxymethylene (POM). These plastics are characterized by good electrical insulating properties, high mechanical strength and temperature resistance.

The choice of material depends on various factors, such as the required insulation properties, mechanical load, ambient temperature and chemical resistance. In some applications, such as high-temperature or high-frequency applications, materials such as ceramic or glass can also be used.

An efficient coil former should have the following properties:

1. good thermal conductivity: an efficient bobbin should be able to dissipate heat efficiently to prevent the coil from overheating.

2. low electrical resistance: A coil former with low electrical resistance minimizes losses in the coil and increases efficiency.

3. good insulation properties: The bobbin should provide good electrical insulation to prevent short circuits or other electrical problems.

4. mechanical stability: the bobbin should be mechanically stable to ensure a long service life of the coil and to avoid deformation or damage.

5. low magnetic losses: A coil former with low magnetic losses minimizes energy losses in the coil and increases efficiency.

6. low mass: A lightweight bobbin reduces the moving mass of the coil and enables fast response times and high frequency ranges.

7. good formability: a bobbin should be easy to form in order to produce different coil shapes and sizes.

8. good resistance to environmental influences: The bobbin should be resistant to moisture, temperature fluctuations and other environmental influences to ensure a long service life of the bobbin.

9. good compatibility with other components: The coil former should be compatible with other components for easy integration into electronic circuits.

10. good cost-efficiency: An efficient bobbin should be inexpensive to manufacture and still offer high performance and reliability.

There are various types of bobbins, which differ mainly in their shape, material and use. Here are some of the most common types:

1. cylindrical bobbins: these are cylindrical in shape and are often used for small to medium sized bobbins. They are often made of plastic or metal and are available in different sizes.

2. body bobbins: These coilformers have a rectangular or square shape and are often used in electronic devices such as transformers or inductors. They are usually made of plastic or ceramic.

3. toroidal coils: These coilformers have a round, closed shape and are usually made of a magnetic material such as ferrite or iron powder. They are often used in high-frequency applications, as the closed toroidal core enables better magnetic coupling.

4. air coils: These coilformers do not have a solid core and are usually made of wire wrapped around an empty space. They are often used in applications where high inductance and low losses are required.

The differences between the various coilformers lie mainly in their shape, material and use. The choice of the right bobbin depends on the specific requirements of the application, e.g. the required inductance, frequency or space requirements.

The coil former plays an important role in the function and performance of an electric coil. It serves to keep the coil winding in a certain shape and protect it from external influences.

The coil former can be made of various materials such as plastic, ceramic or metal. Depending on the application and requirements, the material of the coil former can influence the electrical insulation, heat dissipation and mechanical stability.

The shape of the coil former can also influence the performance of the coil. For example, a compact design of the coil former can help to increase the inductance of the coil. An optimized shape of the coil former can also improve the magnetic coupling and reduce losses.

In addition, the coil former can also serve to protect the coil winding. It can protect against external influences such as mechanical stress, moisture, dust and chemical substances. A robust and well-insulated design of the coil former can increase the service life and reliability of the coil.

Overall, the coil former plays a crucial role in the function and performance of an electrical coil by keeping the coil winding in shape, ensuring protection from external influences and optimizing magnetic coupling.