Where to buy inductors?

A

alband

Senior Member
Has anyone got any idea where to get hold of a large range of inductors?
In particular 56nh (0.056uh)?
I've checked rapid and they havn't got that exact value and only go close to it in SMT products - I need pins for breadboard use. Maplin don't even stock inductors. I know you can make inductor values by combining them but this value seems impossible to resove. :confused:
Any ideas?
 
E

eclectic

Moderator
Alban.
Could you please check the required value again?

It sounds very tiny

(less than two tight coils of connector wire)

e
 
M

Michael 2727

Senior Member
Rockby in OZ has a 20 (Pkt) of SMD devices for $6 AUD
http://www.rockby.com.au/searchres.cfm?wordinfo=56uh&wordbtn=Search&select=58&stock_no=29406

As eclectic said they may only be a single turn or so on a small bobbin.
If you have or can beg/borrow or steal an LCR (good) meter you can prolly
make your own.
There are plenty of java script calculators on the web for L, C, R and many
other electrical/onics functions that can tell you, wire length, width, coil
diameter to use and bobbin sizes etc.
 
E

eclectic

Moderator
alband.

I've found the inductor

http://www.modecomponents.co.uk/

IDC56nH

halfway down the "Ferrites/inductors" page.

But, 0603 SMD (ouch!)

I hope your eyesight's good. :)
Otherwise, Rapid's "nearly" range:
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Inductors-And-Chokes/Surface-Mount-Inductors/1206-AS-SMT-chip-inductors/80311

A serious note.
Breadboarding FM (100mHz +) is likely to be very difficult, if not impossible.
Even the jumper wires will have inductances in the nH range.

I'm sure that the RF experts on the Forum will explain further.

e


e
 
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A

alband

Senior Member
That's the trouble, I need it thru-hole.
Wondering about making one though.
Has anyone got any experience in making coils?
 
E

eclectic

Moderator
Another possibility.

Solder the SMD inductor across two veroboard tracks,
then solder in two connector pins.

BUT, please heed the warning in post #5
about breadboard and FM frequencies.

e
 
A

alband

Senior Member
Hmm
This might be one to give up on.
The grand scheme is to get my own set of wireless earphones working. That chip from rapid in post#3 was one idea.
I've got my iPod hooked up to an FM transmitter (iTrip) and am trying to capture it at the other end.

Annother soloution I thought of (also involving coils :rolleyes:) was a cystal radio. I had a little baby one a while ago but chucked it out thinking I'd got the most out of it (how naive). Just a check on how they work;

Antenna picks up lots of frequencies
Coil resonates a certain frequencies
That frequency is "DC'afyed" with a diode
This is then wired to an earpiece.

How small can that coil be. the one I made was the size of your fist and might induce some staring when hung from the ear.

Edit: Was typing during last post. That sim is fun but allas doesn't go down to nh's.
 
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E

eclectic

Moderator
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A

alband

Senior Member
This looks possible but way to approximate to be combined with an IC.
I think what I need is some way of recieving an RF sinal in as smaller (and simpler) package as possible.
Does anyone know much about crystal radios?

BTW thanks for all the advice, lets hope it isn't all going to be in vain. ;)
 
P

papaof2

Senior Member
Crystal radios are most commonly associated with AM radio signals, not FM. Detecting the amplitude variations of an AM signal is simple. Detecting the frequency vaiations of an FM signal is more complex and requires active components - there is an FM receiver chip, but I don't remember the company or the designation.

John
 
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