How to wire inductor in crossover??PICS*

[Dominick22]

This is the crossover I am using for a DIY center speaker.
This is my first so now that I have the parts, I am confused as to which way to wire the crossover components. I know what goes where of course, but for the inductors...Do I use the outside wire for the input and the unside wire for the output to the speaker...visa versa...or does it not matter at all?
http://www.partsexpress.com/projects.../crossover.jpg

some pics of what I am talking about. Does the input wire go to the inside or outside wire?




<a href="http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=inductorff5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4452/inductorff5.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a>

Thanks everyone,
Dominick

[Dominick22]

um....unside = outside...LOL

Dominick

[hermanv]

No, either wire is fine.

For stereo, what the hell make them both the same, but the parasitic elements (winding capacitance, leakage, etc) are very small for most passive devices and can almost always be ignored.

If there are multiple inductors in your design do not place the windings so that they are in line or parallel. 90 degrees is what you want, this means if one is vertical, you can have only three inductors maximum, unless you leave some space. Maybe three or better four times the largest dimension for inductors in alignment, more if you can spare the space.

Two inductors near each other are called a transformer.

[Dominick22]

awesome---exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the insight!

Dominick

[rabbitz]

I have read some information where it is suggested to wire air core inductors with the input to the inner wire and output from the outer wire.

Just passing along the info.

[hermanv]

Originally posted by rabbitz
I have read some information where it is suggested to wire air core inductors with the input to the inner wire and output from the outer wire.

Just passing along the info.

Do you recal if a reason was given? I am most curious.

Capacitors have an outer foil attached to one lead and some have been said to have a somewhat different sound when connected one way or the other. So its not unusual to see a schematic where they are marked for direction. I don't recall ever seeing an inductor (other than the very speciallized with a built in permanent magent) marked for orientation or polarity.

If there is an advantage of one way over the other I'd like to know as I am currently building quite a complex crossover that has 7 inductors in it.

[rabbitz]

There was no reason given but had a comment on inductor polarity... "Please observe for optimum audio performance" and then showed the correct method.

This was from a well respected professional loudspeaker designer who offers a design service, kits and completed products so is very experienced.

I've been wiring mine that way since and even though I have never tested it, surely can't do any harm.

[Dominick22]

rabbitz,

I tried wiring it the way you suggested and my project blew up. Can you refund my money? jk


Dominick

[hermanv]

Hint: Do not use the power line as a source of sine waves for speaker testing!

[rabbitz]

Originally posted by Dominick22
rabbitz,

I tried wiring it the way you suggested and my project blew up. Can you refund my money? jk


Dominick

Huh? What the.... you plugged your speakers into mains voltage... you're kidding?