Power inductors and common-mode chokes differ significantly in their definition, function, and use.
Common mode chokes, also known as common mode inductors, are mainly used to filter out common mode interference signals and protect sensitive components in circuits from external electromagnetic interference. It is through the use of inductors on the role of AC signal obstruction, the common mode interference signal is limited to a small range, commonly used in computer switching power supply and board design to inhibit high-speed signal lines generated by electromagnetic waves radiated to the outside.
Power inductors are mainly used for power conversion and filtering in circuits, especially in power supply circuits, motor drives and inverters, etc. They play a key role in the design of power inductors. The design of power inductors focuses on withstanding high currents and high temperatures to ensure circuit stability and efficiency. Unlike common-mode chokes, power inductors focus more on the function of power conversion.
In practice, the selection of an inductor requires consideration of its parameters (e.g., inductance, current rating, temperature resistance, etc.) as well as the application scenario. For the need to filter out common-mode interference occasions, should choose common mode choke; and for the need for power conversion and filtering occasions, should choose power inductors.
In electronic equipment is increasingly pursuing high performance, low power consumption and high-speed today, reduce the LSI power supply voltage has become critical. This change makes the control of voltage variation requirements more stringent, which in turn promotes the growth of demand for high-performance DC-DC converters. TDK, a leader in the inductor field, offers a wide range of power inductor series to meet different design needs. The following is a detailed introduction of TDK's seven high power inductor series:
1. SPM Series
Features: Metal composite type winding inductors where the coil is molded in one piece by metal magnetic material.
Advantages: Realizes high current, low Rdc (DC resistance), and miniaturization; possesses excellent DC overlap characteristics; low leakage flux and effective suppression of coil whistling noise.

2. TFM Series
Features: Compact, thin inductors developed using TDK's thin-film process.
Advantage: Utilizes metallic magnetic materials with high saturation flux density to meet the need for good DC overlap characteristics for power inductors.

3. VLS Series
Features: Winding and magnetic shielding (resin) type inductors, divided into three series: VLS-HBX/HBU, VLS-CX/CX-H, and VLS-EX/AF/EX-H/EX-D.
Advantage: Each series has its own characteristics to meet the needs of different application scenarios, reflecting TDK's rich material technologies and manufacturing processes.

4. HPL Series
Features: Power inductors for automotive applications, utilizing TDK's self-developed ferrite materials and frames.
Advantages: High current capability and high efficiency; contactless structure reduces the risk of open-circuit defects and realizes high reliability; especially suitable for high-current circuits such as ADAS image processors.

5. PLE Series
Features: Ultra-compact metal power inductors for small battery applications such as wearable devices.
Advantages: High efficiency and low leakage flux; Unique magnetic material technology and structural design to realize a wide range of inductance values.

6. BCL Series
Features: Automotive power inductors with TDK's original material technology and structure design.
Advantages: Large inductance value coexists with miniaturization; Metal magnetic material provides enhanced high current handling capability; Wide operating temperature range for the harsh environment of automotive applications.

7. SLF-H/LTF-D/CLF-NI-D Series
Features: Winding type power inductors for automotive applications with magnetic shielding via ferrite toroidal core.
Advantages: Wide selection of sizes and inductance values; high reliability and resistance to harsh environments such as in-vehicle use; suitable for all types of in-vehicle equipment from instrumentation and headlamps to ECMs.
These are the details of TDK's seven high-power inductor series. Each series has its own unique features and advantages and is suitable for different application scenarios.

I. Definition
Power inductors and choke inductors are both types of inductors, and their main difference lies in their design and application areas. Power inductors are usually used in high power electronic systems, while choke inductors are usually used in small signal and medium power electronic systems.

II. Characteristics
1. Characteristics of power inductors
Power inductors are able to withstand large currents and peak currents, so they are usually used in high power electronic systems. Power inductors are characterized by low resistance and high self-inductance, so they can effectively filter high frequency noise. In addition, power inductors also have a high magnetic energy storage density, which can store a large amount of magnetic energy and avoid the interference of voltage peaks transmitted by transformers or power supplies to the circuit.
2. Characteristics of Choke Inductors
Choke inductors are inductors used to control the current in a circuit. Choke inductors are usually used in small signal and medium power electronic systems because of their relatively low current. Compared to power inductors, choke inductors have thinner windings and fewer turns, and they usually have inductive components such as semiconductor devices and magnetic cores.

III. Applications
1.Application of power inductors
Power inductors are typically used in a variety of high power electronic systems such as power supplies, power converters and motor drives. Power inductors in these systems can filter high frequency noise and reduce the power supply or transformer transfer voltage peaks on the circuit interference.
2. Choke Inductor Applications
Choke inductors are widely used in small-signal and medium-power electronic systems, such as radio communications and television equipment. Choke inductors can control the current without interfering with the signal, and can filter out unwanted signals and interferences in the circuit, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the signal.

IV. Conclusion
In electronic systems, different inductors have different application scenarios. Power inductors are suitable for high-power electronic systems, can filter high-frequency noise and reduce the power supply to pass the voltage peaks on the circuit of the interference; choke inductors are usually used in small-signal and medium-power electronic systems, you can control the current without interfering with the signal, and will be in the circuit of the unwanted signals and interference filtered out, to ensure the effectiveness of the signal.