Why inductors are not on PCB

I have the impression that inductor is seldom included in PCB, is there any reason for this?

 

You are correct that inductors are not as commonly found on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) compared to other components like resistors and capacitors. There are a few reasons for this:

Size and Space Constraints: Inductors, especially larger ones, require more physical space compared to other components. PCB designers often have limited space on the board, especially in compact electronic devices. Therefore, they may opt for smaller components or alternative solutions to meet the size requirements.

Integration and Miniaturization: With the trend towards miniaturization and integration of electronic components, inductors have been miniaturized and integrated into other components or ICs (Integrated Circuits). For example, some ICs have built-in inductors, eliminating the need for separate inductors on the PCB.

Application Specificity: Inductors are primarily used in circuits where energy storage, magnetic field generation, and filtering are required. Their usage is more specific to certain applications, such as power supply circuits, audio amplifiers, and RF (Radio Frequency) circuits. Other applications may rely more on resistors, capacitors, and active components like transistors and ICs.

Cost and Complexity: Inductors can be more expensive compared to other passive components, especially if specific performance requirements need to be met. Additionally, inductors may introduce complexity to the design, requiring careful consideration of factors like self-resonance, core material, and magnetic interference.

 

Despite these factors, inductors remain crucial in many electronic applications where their unique characteristics are necessary. They are still widely used in power electronics, RF circuits, filtering applications, and specialized designs where their specific properties are essential for proper functionality.