Enter the magnetic flux density (Tesla), the length of the solenoid (m), the magnetic constant, and the number of turns into the calculator to determine the Solenoid Current. 

Solenoid Current Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Solenoid Current.

Is = (B/u)*L/N
  • Where Is is the Solenoid Current (amps)
  • B is the magnetic flux density (Tesla) 
  • L is the length of the solenoid (m) 
  • u is the magnetic constant
  • N is the number of turns 

To calculate the solenoid current, divide the magnetic flux density by the magnetic constant, then multiply by the ratio of the length to the number of turns.

How to Calculate Solenoid Current?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Solenoid Current.

Example Problem #1

  1. First, determine the magnetic flux density (Tesla). In this example, the magnetic flux density (Tesla) is determined to be 140 .
  2. Next, determine the length of solenoid (m). For this problem, the length of solenoid (m) is measured to be 50 .
  3. Next, determine the number of turns. In this case, the number of turns is found to be 7.
  4. Next, determine the magnetic constant. This is 10 for this problem.
  5. Finally, calculate the Solenoid Current using the formula above: 

Is = (B/u)*L/N

Inserting the values from above and solving yields: 

Is = (140/10)*50/7 = 100 (amps)


FAQ

What is magnetic flux density?

Magnetic flux density, represented by the symbol B and measured in Tesla (T), is a measure of the strength and direction of the magnetic field around a magnet or an electric current. It describes the degree to which a magnetic field can affect the movement of electric charges in its vicinity, which is crucial in calculating the solenoid current.

How does the number of turns in a solenoid affect its current?

The number of turns (N) in a solenoid directly affects its current (Is) because it influences the magnetic field strength within the solenoid. According to the solenoid current formula, Is = (B/u)*L/N, increasing the number of turns decreases the current, assuming all other factors remain constant. This is because a higher number of turns increases the solenoid’s inductance, which opposes changes in current.

What is the significance of the magnetic constant in the solenoid current calculation?

The magnetic constant (u), also known as the permeability of free space, is a fundamental physical constant that describes how a magnetic field interacts with an electric current in a vacuum. Its value is approximately 4π x 10^-7 H/m (Henry per meter). In the solenoid current formula, the magnetic constant helps relate the magnetic flux density and the physical dimensions of the solenoid (its length and number of turns) to the resulting current. It essentially quantifies the ability of the vacuum to conduct magnetic fields, which is crucial for calculating the current in a solenoid accurately.