The inductance of a single conductor is called self inductance. Self inductance is not typically measured, since it is only part of a complete circuit loop.
The inductance calculated in this tool is the self inductance. This self inductance is used in some simulations and is really only part of a total loop inductance. In this tool the variables required are length, and wire diameter. Notice that there is not a return path referenced in this inductance estimator. When calculating a loop inductance the self inductance as well as the mutual inductance to the return path and the return paths self inductancec is accounted for.
The self inductance of a single wire in free space is defined below.
L=2l\left ( \ln \left ( \left ( \frac{2l}{d} \right )\left ( 1+\sqrt{1+\left ( \frac{d}{2l} \right )^{2}} \right ) \right )-\sqrt{1+\left ( \frac{d}{2l} \right )^{2}}+\frac{\mu }{4}+\left ( \frac{d}{2l} \right ) \right )
For this calculation the diameter and length units are in cm.
This formula is from the following reference.
“Inductance Calculations” , F. W. Grover, Dover Publications, 2004 .
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