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Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

Topic 4 – Losses in Magnetic Circuit
UEEEL0021
Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuits

Learning Outcomes
Topic 3 - Magnetic circuits encompassing:
▪ Factors which determine losses in magnetic material.
▪ Methods used to reduce electrical losses in a magnetic circuit.
▪ Effect of an air gap in a magnetic circuit.
▪ Terms “magnetic leakage” and “magnetic fringing”
▪ Losses in Electrical Circuits

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 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit
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Magnetic Losses

+ß
 When an electro-magnet is first
energised, energy is used.
 While not such an issue in a DC circuit,
it becomes a problem when supplied
0
with AC current. -H +H

 Material with a hysteresis curve

(illustrated) should be used in
applications that use AC current
Less Energy is expended -ß

per cycle therefore less heat

is generated in the core Small Coercive Force
Soft Ferromagnetic Material
 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit
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Magnetic Losses Eddy Currents

 Occur in an AC magnetic
field
 An alternating magnetic field will
induce an AC current into a nearby
conductor
 As the core is usually made
of a conductive material, its
own alternating magnetic
field will generate a current
that circulates in the core
 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit

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Magnetic Losses - Eddy Currents
• Minimising the problem, laminated cores are used
• Made of silicon steel with an oxide coating
• Small eddy currents will still flow in each lamination, but combined value & heating
effect will be less than a solid core Oxide
Coatings

Assembled Unit
Laminated Plates
 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit
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Magnetic Losses Iron Losses

 The combined
effects of Hysteresis
and eddy current
losses are called
iron losses
 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit
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Magnetic Losses
Fringing Leakage
Fringing
 Another loss in a magnetic flux
circuit is caused by flux leakage
and fringing
 Leakage flux by-passes the
magnetic circuit & does not
contribute to the strength
 Fringing reduces the field
strength in the gap between the
core and the armature (air gap)
 All magnetic circuits have
Magnetic fringing and leakage
8 Output Power Losses

Electrical losses
Are due to the resistance of the copper windings and are called copper
losses.

Magnetic Losses
These are used by hysteresis of the armature’s iron core, eddy currents that are induced
in the core, magnetic losses on the air gap between field poles and the armature. These
are called iron losses and are constant over the full operating range of the motor
Eddy currents are reduced by making the armature with insulated iron laminations.
This stops the eddy currents running lengthwise along the armature. The laminations
are made of a low hysteresis metal, usually silicon iron

Mechanical Losses
Mechanical losses include friction due to bearings and brushes rubbing
against the commutator, windage, which is the friction air imposes on
the rotating armature and the cooling fan attached to the motor shaft
Electrical Input Power
 Topic 3 - Magnetic Circuit

9 Tutorials & Revision