RL Demonstration
Purpose
Students observe inductive transients in an RL circuit: the incandescent bulb flashes brightly each time the knife switch opens or closes, revealing current surges during magnetic field buildup and collapse. Demonstrates that inductors resist changes in current and store energy in magnetic fields.
Figure 1:
The self-induction demonstrator board with knife switch open. The iron-core inductor and incandescent bulb are wired in series; the bulb serves as both the resistive load and a visual indicator of current transients.
Figure 2:
Operating the knife switch. The bulb flashes brightly each time the switch opens or closes due to transient currents during magnetic field buildup and collapse.