Energy, Magnetism, Mechanics

Magnetic circuits analysis

In this post, are shown the necessary concepts to make analysis of magnetic circuits, which is very similar to that of electric circuits.

Why analyze magnetic circuits?

The knowledge about analysis of this type of circuit is useful for design components that use magnetic field, as for exemple: relays, transformers, electric motors, generators, speakers, etc.

Magnetic field and magnetic permeability

Magnetic density flux (B) is defined by magnetic flux (\phi), in Wb (Weber), divided by area (A), in m^{2}.

B=\frac{\phi}{A}

The measurement unit for B is Wb/m^{2} or T (Tesla). The following equation is the relation between flux density and magnetizing force H, the latter is in Ae/m (ampère-turn per meter).

B=\mu H

Where \mu is the magnetic permeability. This is the product of vacuum’s magnetic permeability (\mu _{o}), a constant whose value is 4\pi \cdot 10^{-7}H/m, with relative permeability (\mu _{r}), which depends on material.

\mu =\mu _{o}\mu _{r}

Analogy with electric circuits

Reluctance

As shown in the post about resistance, capacitance, inductance, impedance and reactance, the material’s resistance is calculated using the formula:

R=\rho \frac{L}{A}

The materials have reluctance (\Re), which is a material resistance to magnetic flux, whose equation is:

\Re=\frac{l}{\mu A}

Where l is material’s length and A is cross section’s area. The reluctance is measured in rels or Ae/Wb (ampère-turn per weber).

Ohm’s law for magnetic circuits

In a magnetic circuit, flux generators are coils, which produce the magnetomotive force (mmf) (\mathfrak{F}), in ampère-turn, that is coil’s current I multiplied by the number of turns N.

\mathfrak{F}=NI

The Ohm’s law equation for magnetic circuits.

\mathfrak{F}=\phi \cdot \Re

Representation of magnetic circuits
Magnetic circuits can be represented as if they were electric circuits. Just have to change the letters. Source: Encyclopedia Magnetica.
magnetic circuits in series-parallel
Magnetic circuits can also be on series-parallel configuration. Source: Skedsoft.

Ampère’s circuit law for magnetic circuits

Kirchhoff’s voltage law says that the sum of voltages and voltage drop in a closed loop circuit is zero. As shown in the post, whose link is below.

Circuit analysis (Part 1)Click here

Ampère’s circuit law claims that the algebraic sum of elevations and drops of magnetomotive force in a closed loop will always be zero.

\sum \mathfrak{F}=0

Magnetic flux

Just like in Kirchhoff’s current law, algebraic sum of fluxes entering in a node is equal to sum of fluxes going out of this node.

Air gap

It’s the air space between ferromagnetic materials. Since air’s relative magnetic permeability is only 1, the magnetizing force H and mmf are higher on air gap than on core.

leakage flux on air gap
On air gap, some flux lines are dispersed outside of core section area, this is the leakage flux. When higher the air gap’s length, higher this effect. Source: (Frivaldsky et al., 2022).
Source: Science Direct.

Obtaining the equation to the magnetic circuit above, using Ampère’s circuit law.

NI=H_{c}\cdot l_{c}+H_{g}\cdot l_{g}

  • H_{c} and H_{g} are magnetizing forces of core and air gap, respectively.
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