Henry (unit)
Definition
The Henry (symbol: H) is the SI derived unit of electrical inductance. The unit is named after Joseph Henry, an American scientist who discovered electromagnetic induction independently of and at about the same time as Michael Faraday in England, for whom the unit of electrical capacitance is named.
Description
The henry is the unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is changing at the rate of one ampere per second. It is also equivalent to one weber per ampere, using the relationship between magnetic flux Φ, current I and inductance L: L = Φ/I.
Measurement
The measurement of inductance, the property of a component in an electrical circuit which opposes a change in current, involves the use of an LCR meter. This device, which stands for "Inductance (L), Capacitance (C), and Resistance (R)", measures these three fundamental aspects of electronic circuits.
Applications
The henry is used in various applications in electrical engineering and physics. Some of these applications include the design of electric motors, transformers, and inductors, all of which rely on the principles of electromagnetic induction.
History
The unit of inductance, the henry, was established by the International Electrotechnical Commission in 1908, in honor of the American scientist Joseph Henry.
See Also
