Definition
A core used inside an inductor or transformer made from finely powdered iron particles bonded together with an insulating binder and pressed into shape. The insulation between particles reduces eddy-current losses, allowing the core to operate efficiently at higher frequencies than a solid iron core.
Plain English
A magnetic core made from tiny iron grains glued together with insulation between them, used inside coils to make them work better, especially at higher frequencies.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical, radio, and ignition-system discussions when describing coils, filters, or transformers.
Derivation
‘Powdered’ describes the form of the iron — ground into fine particles rather than used as a solid block. The insulating coating between the particles is what makes this design useful: it breaks up the paths that wasteful electrical currents would otherwise circulate along inside the core.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots don’t handle these directly, but powdered-iron cores appear throughout aircraft radios and avionics. Knowing the term helps when reading maintenance or systems material describing how onboard electronics work.
Intuition Check
A powdered-iron core is not loose powder inside a part. It is a solid core made from pressed iron particles.
Example Sentence 1
The radio transformer used a powdered-iron core to keep losses low at high frequencies.
Example Sentence 2
Mechanics replaced the inductor because its powdered-iron core had become damaged from vibration.