An electric circuit is said to be a coupled circuit, when there exists a mutual inductance between the coils (or inductors) present in that circuit. Coil is nothing but the series combination of resistor and inductor. In the absence of resistor, coil becomes inductor. Sometimes, the terms coil and inductor are interchangeably used.

In this chapter, first let us discuss about the dot convention and then will discuss about classification of coupling.

Dot Convention

Dot convention is a technique, which gives the details about voltage polarity at the dotted terminal. This information is useful, while writing KVL equations.

• If the current enters at the dotted terminal of one coil (or inductor), then it induces a voltage at another coil (or inductor), which is having positive polarity at the dotted terminal.

• If the current leaves from the dotted terminal of one coil (or inductor), then it induces a voltage at another coil (or inductor), which is having negative polarity at the dotted terminal.

Classification of Coupling

We can classify coupling into the following two categories.

• Electrical Coupling
• Magnetic Coupling

Now, let us discuss about each type of coupling one by one.

Electrical Coupling

Electrical coupling occurs, when there exists a physical connection between two coils (or inductors). This coupling can be of either aiding type or opposing type. It is based on whether the current enters at the dotted terminal or leaves from the dotted terminal.

Coupling of Aiding type

Consider the following electric circuit, which is having two inductors that are connected in series.

Since the two inductors are connected in series, the same current I flow through both inductors having self-inductances L₁ and L₂.

In this case, the current, I enter at the dotted terminal of each inductor. Hence, the induced voltage in each inductor will be having positive polarity at the dotted terminal due to the current flowing in another coil.

Apply KVL around the loop of the above electric circuit or network.

$$V – L_1 frac{dI}{dt} – M frac{dI}{dt} – L_2 frac{dI}{dt} – M frac{dI}{dt} = 0$$

$$V = L_1 frac{dI}{dt} + L_2 frac{dI}{dt} + 2M frac{dI}{dt}$$

$$V = (L_1 + L_2 + 2M)frac{dI}{dt}$$

The above equation is in the form of $mathbf{mathit{V = L_{Eq} frac{dI}{dt}}}$

Therefore, the equivalent inductance of series combination of inductors shown in the above figure is

$$L_{Eq} = L_1 + L_2 + 2M$$

In this case, the equivalent inductance has been increased by 2M. Hence, the above electrical circuit is an example of electrical coupling which is of aiding type.

Coupling of Opposing type

Consider the following electric circuit, which is having two inductors that are connected in series.

In the above circuit, the current I enters at the dotted terminal of the inductor having an inductance of L₁. Hence, it induces a voltage in the other inductor having an inductance of L₂. So, positive polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this inductor.

In the above circuit, the current I leaves from the dotted terminal of the inductor having an inductance of L₂. Hence, it induces a voltage in the other inductor having an inductance of L₁. So, negative polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this inductor.

Apply KVL around the loop of the above electric circuit or network.

$$V – L_1 frac{dI}{dt} + M frac{dI}{dt} – L_2 frac{dI}{dt} + M frac{dI}{dt} = 0$$

$$Rightarrow V = L_1 frac{dI}{dt} + L_2 frac{dI}{dt} – 2M frac{dI}{dt}$$

$$Rightarrow V = (L_1 + L_2 – 2M)frac{dI}{dt}$$

The above equation is in the form of $mathbf{mathit{V = L_{Eq} frac{dI}{dt}}}$

Therefore, the equivalent inductance of series combination of inductors shown in the above figure is

$$L_{Eq} = L_1 + L_2 – 2M$$

In this case, the equivalent inductance has been decreased by 2M. Hence, the above electrical circuit is an example of electrical coupling which is of opposing type.

Magnetic Coupling

Magnetic coupling occurs, when there is no physical connection between two coils (or inductors). This coupling can be of either aiding type or opposing type. It is based on whether the current enters at the dotted terminal or leaves from the dotted terminal.

Coupling of Aiding type

Consider the following electrical equivalent circuit of transformer. It is having two coils and these are called as primary and secondary coils.

The currents flowing through primary and secondary coils are i₁ and i₂ respectively. In this case, these currents enter at the dotted terminal of respective coil. Hence, the induced voltage in each coil will be having positive polarity at the dotted terminal due to the current flowing in another coil.

Apply KVL around primary coil.

$$v_1 – L_1 frac{d i_1}{dt} – M frac{d i_2}{dt} = 0$$

$Rightarrow v_1 = L_1 frac{d i_1}{dt} + M frac{d i_2}{dt}$Equation 1

Apply KVL around secondary coil.

$$v_2 – L_2 frac{d i_2}{dt} – M frac{d i_1}{dt} = 0$$

$Rightarrow v_2 = L_2 frac{d i_2}{dt} + M frac{d i_1}{dt}$Equation 2

In Equation 1 and Equation 2, the self-induced voltage and mutually induced voltage have the same polarity. Hence, the above transformer circuit is an example of magnetic coupling, which is of aiding type.

Coupling of Opposing Type

Consider the following electrical equivalent circuit of transformer.

The currents flowing through primary and secondary coils are i₁ and i₂ respectively. In this case, the current, i₁ enters at the dotted terminal of primary coil. Hence, it induces a voltage in secondary coil. So, positive polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this secondary coil.

In the above circuit, the current, i₂ leaves from the dotted terminal of secondary coil. Hence, it induces a voltage in primary coil. So, negative polarity of the induced voltage is present at the dotted terminal of this primary coil.

Apply KVL around primary coil.

$$v_1 – L_1 frac{d i_1}{dt} + M frac{d i_2}{dt} = 0$$

$Rightarrow v_1 = L_1 frac{d i_1}{dt} – M frac{d i_2}{dt}$Equation 3

Apply KVL around secondary coil.

$$v_2 – L_2 frac{d i_2}{dt} + M frac{d i_1}{dt} = 0$$

$Rightarrow v_2 = L_2 frac{d i_2}{dt} – M frac{d i_1}{dt}$Equation 4

In Equation 3 and Equation 4, self-induced voltage and mutually induced voltage are having opposite polarity. Hence, the above transformer circuit is an example of magnetic coupling, which is of opposing type.