Inductance Measurement

The common mode of failure in an inductor is an open. To check the integrity of an inductor, it must be removed from the circuit and tested as an isolated component just like the capacitor. If there is an open in the inductor, a simple check with an ohmmeter will show it as an open circuit with infinite resistance. If in fact the inductor is in good condition, then the ohmmeter will indicate the resistance of the coil.

On occasions, the inductor will fail due to overheating. When the inductor is overheated, it is possible for the insulation covering the wire in the coil to melt, causing a short. The effects of a shorted coil are that of reducing the number of turns. At this point, further testing of the inductor must be done with test equipment not covered in this text.