The word "choke coil" is spelled with three distinct sounds. The first sound is represented by the letter "ch" which makes a voiceless palato-alveolar affricate sound /tʃ/. The second sound is represented by the letter "o" which is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɒ/. The third sound is represented by the letters "ke" which make a voiced alveolo-palatal fricative sound /k/ and a silent /e/. The final sound is represented by the letters "coil" which are pronounced as a syllabic voiced alveolar lateral approximant /kɔɪl/.
A choke coil, also known as a choke or an inductor, is an electrical component primarily used to filter and suppress high-frequency electrical noise in a circuit. It is designed to impede or attenuate the flow of alternating current (AC) while allowing direct current (DC) to easily pass through.
The choke coil consists of a conductor, typically wound into a cylindrical shape, which creates an electromagnetic field. This field opposes any changes in the electrical current passing through the coil and thus acts as an impediment for AC signals. This property makes choke coils suitable for applications where it is essential to protect sensitive electronic devices from excessive voltage spikes or noise interference.
One of the main roles of a choke coil in electronic circuits is to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). By presenting a high impedance to unwanted frequencies, it blocks their passage and ensures that the desired signals remain unaffected. Consequently, choke coils are commonly found in power supplies, audio equipment, televisions, and communication devices where the integrity and quality of signals are crucial.
In addition, choke coils are also employed to stabilize and regulate current flow. By smoothing out ripple currents, choke coils help to ensure a steady, continuous supply of power to a device, improving its overall performance and efficiency.
The word "choke coil" is derived from the combination of two separate terms - "choke" and "coil".
The term "choke" originates from the Old English word "cēoce", which means "a stranglehold" or "to suffocate". It eventually evolved in meaning to refer to any obstructing or constricting mechanism that restricts the flow of fluid or energy.
The term "coil" comes from the Old English word "cyle", which means a loop or a spiral. It is derived from the Latin word "cula", which means "a coil or a ring".
When combined, "choke coil" refers to a coiled conductor or spiral wound around a magnetic core that restricts or chokes the flow of electrical current. The name emphasizes the role of the coil in reducing or regulating the current by constricting its flow.