Real simple: Inductance is the ability to store electrical energy as a magnetic field. Capacitance is the ability to store electrical energy as an electric field. Characteristic Impedance is the ability of a transmission line to support converting electrical energy into magnetic fields AND electrical fields along the line. Since Characteristic Impedance is calculated from a ratio of inductance to capacitance, it should not make a difference how long the wire is: if you take ten miles of wire with an inductance per mile and divide it by ten miles of capacitance per mile, the ten cancels out top and bottom. the miles cancels out top and bottom, and, the per mile cancels out top and bottom. You're left with impedance Doug McKean, ADC Video, [log in to unmask] ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Definitions Author: [log in to unmask] at internet-mail Date: 5/15/96 8:26 AM Would like to ask for some help on getting some definitions. I am = looking for a simple definition for inductance and characteristic = impedance. I am presenting to a group that is new to CI and would like = to keep things simple and easy to understand. Thank you in advance