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How to Choose the Right Power Inductor for High-Current Applications

If you’re designing power supplies for servers, GPUs, or battery management systems, you know how critical it is to select the right inductor. The wrong choice can lead to inefficient power conversion, thermal issues, and even system failure.

Among the key components in your power topology, the inductor often serves as both energy storage and filter. But not all inductors are created equal—especially when it comes to high-current applications.

In this article, we’ll break down the main parameters you should consider and introduce the SMB series shielded power inductors, which are engineered to deliver high performance in compact designs.

Key Parameters When Selecting a Power Inductor

Saturation Current (Isat)

The saturation current is the point at which the inductor’s core can no longer store additional magnetic energy, causing inductance to drop—typically by 20% or 30%. Beyond this point, the inductor loses efficiency and may overheat.

For example, the SMB1007B-R33L offers an Isat value of 65A at 25°C, making it suitable for high-current multiphase VRM applications.

RMS Current (Irms)

Irms is the continuous DC current that causes a temperature rise of typically 40°C. It’s related to the copper loss (I²R) in the winding. Designs with high ambient temperatures or poor airflow may require derating.

The SMB series inductors, such as SMB0808B–R30K, offer Irms values up to 28A with a very low DCR of 0.8mΩ, helping minimize power loss.

DC Resistance (DCR)

DCR affects efficiency directly—especially in high-current paths. Lower DCR means less energy lost as heat. All SMB inductors are designed with ultra-low DCR, some as low as 0.8mΩ.

Operating Temperature

Whether your system operates in a rugged industrial environment or a compact notebook, temperature stability matters. The SMB1007B series supports operation from –55°C to +130°C, making it a robust choice for demanding applications.

Why shielded inductors?

Shielded inductors, like the SMB series, contain magnetic flux within the core. This reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) and minimizes noise coupling into nearby circuits—essential for sensitive analog or RF sections.

Application Examples

  • Servers & GPUs: Multi-phase power converters require inductors with high Isat and low DCR.

  • Battery-Powered Systems: High efficiency and compact size help extend battery life.

  • Automotive & Industrial: Wide temperature range and reliability under vibration are critical.

SMB Series – Optimized for Performance

The SMB0808B and SMB1007B series offer a range of inductances from 300nH to 1600nH, with high current capability and shielded construction to suppress noise.

Whether you need high saturation current, low DCR, or a compact footprint, there’s likely an SMB inductor that fits your requirements.

Conclusion

Selecting the right power inductor involves balancing saturation current, RMS current, DCR, size, and thermal behavior. With the SMB series, you get a family of components designed to perform under the most demanding conditions.For more detailed specifications, sample requests, or support with your design, feel free to reach out to our team at sales@ferrtx.com. We’re here to help you power up your next project.

August 24, 2025
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