MAGNETIC

CIRCUITS

Prepared by,

Engr. Arlene C. Patricio, MST

 Magnetic circuits and magnetic
materials
Magnetic circuits – Laws governing magnetic circuits - Flux linkage, Inductance and energy – Statically
and Dynamically induced EMF - Torque – Properties of magnetic materials, Hysteresis and Eddy
Current losses - AC excitation, introduction to permanent magnets-Transformer as a magnetically
coupled circuit.
Magnetic Circuit

Electromagnetic system is an important element of all rotating

electric machinery and static devices like transformer.
The closed path followed by the magnetic flux is called a magnetic
circuit.
Made up of materials having high permeability such as iron, soft
steel etc.
Magnetic Circuit
Electromagnetic system
◦ Ferromagnetic core
◦ Exciting coil
◦ Coil has N turns
◦ Coil carries a current of I amps
◦ Magnetic field established
◦ Magnetic flux flows through the
core
◦ Small flux leaks through air
 Magnetic Circuit
The magnetic field intensity produced in the core is H and from ampere circuital law,

ර 𝐻. 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑁 𝐼

𝐻. 𝑙 = 𝑁 𝐼

𝑁 𝐼 𝐴𝑇
𝐻= ൗ𝑚 −−−−− −(1)
𝑙
Magnetic field intensity H causes a flux density B to be set up in the magnetic core. It is given by,
𝐵 = 𝜇 𝐻 −−−−− −(2)
𝐵 = 𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝐻
Magnetic Circuit
Sub equation 1 in equation 2,
𝑁𝐼
𝐵= 𝜇 −−−− −(3)
𝑙
Flux flowing through the core is given by,
𝜙 = 𝐵 . 𝐴 −−−− −(4)
Where B is the average flux density and A is the area of cross section of the core.
Substituting equation 3 in equation 4, we get,
𝑁𝐼
𝜙= 𝜇 𝐴
𝑙
𝑁𝐼 𝑁𝐼 ℱ
𝜙= = =
𝑙ൗ ℛ ℛ
𝜇. 𝐴
Magnetic Circuit and Electric Circuit
Comparison of Magnetic and Electric Circuits
Magnetic Circuit Electric Circuit
ℱ 𝑉
Hopkinson’s Law ϕ = Ohm’s Law 𝐼 =
ℛ 𝑅

𝓁 𝓁
Reluctance, ℛ = Resistance, R =
μ. Α σ. A
Flux (ϕ) Current (I)
MMF (ℱ) EMF (V)
Permeability (μ) Conductivity (σ)
Permeance (𝒫) Conductance (G)
Direction of Current in a Conductor

No current through the conductor.

Conductor carries current away from the reader.

Conductor carries current towards the reader.

Right Hand Rule
The direction of magnetic flux is found by using right hand rule.
Rule says that if one holds the conductor in such a way that the thumb points in the direction of
current, then the closed fingers give the direction of flux produced.
Faradays Law

Whenever there is a variation of magnetic flux linking with a coil, an EMF is induced in that coil.
The magnitude of this EMF is proportional to the rate of change of flux linkages.
𝑑𝜙 𝑑𝜆
𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑀𝐹, 𝑒 = − 𝑁 = −
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Lenz’s Law

Lenz’s law states that the induced EMF in a coil will induce a current whose direction is such that it
opposes the cause producing the EMF.
A ring is composed of three sections. The cross sectional area is 0.001 m2 for each
section. The mean arc lengths are la = 0.3 m, lb = 0.2 m and lc = 0.1 m. An air gap
length of 0.1 mm is cut in the ring. Relative permeability for sections a, b and c are
5000, 1000 and 10000 respectively. Flux in the air gap is 7.5 X 10-4 Wb.

Find (i) mmf, (ii) exciting current if the coil has 100 turns, (iii) reluctance of the
sections.
Given Data
Solution
Air-gap and three sections form a series magnetic circuit.
Flux in the air-gap is same as that of the three sections.
Hence total mmf is the sum of mmf for each part of the magnetic circuit.
Solution
Solution
The magnetic circuit has dimensions: AC = 4 X 4 cm2, lg = 0.06 cm, lc
= 40 cm and N = 600 turns. Assume the value of µr = 6000 for iron.
Find the exciting current for BC = 1.2 T and the corresponding flux
and flux linkages.
Solution
A wrought iron bar 30 cm long and 2 cm in diameter is bent into a circular shape as shown in figure
below. It is then wound with 600 turns of wire. Calculate the current required to produce a flux of 0.5
mWb in the magnetic circuit in the following cases:

(i) no air – gap

(ii) with an air-gap of 1 mm

(µr of iron = 4000)

(i) No Air-Gap

𝑵. 𝒊 = 𝑯𝒄 𝒍𝒄 𝟎. 𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 × 𝟑𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐
𝒊=
𝟔𝟎𝟎. 𝝅. 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 𝟐 𝟒𝝅 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 × 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑩
𝑵. 𝒊 = 𝒍
𝝁𝟎 𝝁𝒓 𝒄
𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓𝟖 𝑨
𝝓. 𝒍𝒄
𝑵. 𝒊 =
𝑨. 𝝁𝟎 . 𝝁𝒓

𝝓. 𝒍𝒄
𝒊=
𝑵. 𝑨. 𝝁𝟎 . 𝝁𝒓
 (ii) With Air-Gap

𝑵. 𝒊 = 𝑯𝒄 𝒍𝒄 + 𝑯𝒈 𝒍𝒈
𝜙 𝑙𝑐
𝑖= + 𝑙𝑔
𝑩 𝑩 𝑁. 𝐴. 𝜇0 𝜇𝑟
𝑵. 𝒊 = 𝒍𝒄 + 𝒍𝒈
𝝁𝟎 𝝁𝒓 𝝁𝟎
0.5 × 10−3 30 × 10−2
𝑖= + 1 × 10−3
𝑩 𝒍𝒄 600. 𝜋. 1 × 10−2 2 4𝜋 × 10−7 4000
𝑵. 𝒊 = + 𝒍𝒈
𝝁𝟎 𝝁𝒓
𝒊 = 𝟐. 𝟐 𝑨
𝝓 𝒍𝒄
𝑵. 𝒊 = + 𝒍𝒈
𝑨. 𝝁𝟎 𝝁𝒓
The magnetic circuit shown below has steel core with dimensions as shown.
Mean length from A to B through either outer limb = 0.5 m
Mean length from A to B through central limb = 0.2 m
It is required to establish a flux of 0.75 mWb in the air-gap of the central limb.
Determine the mmf of the exciting coil if the core material has
𝒂 𝝁𝒓 = ∞ 𝒃 𝝁𝒓 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎
Neglect fringing.
𝒂 𝝁𝒓 = ∞
𝒂 𝝁𝒓 = ∞
𝒃 𝝁𝒓 = 𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎
Self Inductance
Consider a coil with N turns.
When current i flows through it, a flux ɸ will be produced.
As per Faraday’s law,

• Flux ɸ is produced by current i and hence any change in ɸ is

caused by changes in i. Therefore,

• The inductance L of the inductor is,

• This is called the Self Inductance of the coil.
Mutual Inductance

Consider 2 coils with self inductances L1 & L2 are kept close

together.
Coil 1 has N1 turns and coil 2 has N2 turns.

• Current i1 creates a flux ɸ1 in coil 1.

• This flux has got 2 components.
• ɸ1 1 links with coil 1 only.
• ɸ1 2 links with both the coils.
• Although both coils are physically separated, they are magnetically
coupled.
Mutual Inductance
Voltage induced in coil 1 is,

• L1 is the self inductance of the coil.

• Voltage induced in coil 2 is,

• M is the mutual inductance between the 2 coils.

Mutual Inductance

Now consider a current i2 flows through coil 2

and produces a flux ɸ2.

• This flux has got 2 components.

• ɸ22 links with coil 1 only.
• ɸ 21 links with both the coils.
Mutual Inductance
Voltage induced in coil 2 is,

• L2 is the self inductance of the coil.

• Voltage induced in coil 1 is,

• M is the mutual inductance between the 2 coils.

Mutual Inductance
Mutual inductance is the ability of one inductor to induce a voltage
across a neighboring inductor.

It is measured in henrys (H).

The polarity of mutual voltage is determined by using dot covention.

A dot is placed at one end of each coupled coils to indicate the direction of the magnetic flux if current

enters that dotted terminal of the coil.

Types of Induced EMF
According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, an EMF is induced
by changing the flux linkages in a coil. It can happen in two ways.

EMF is induced either “moving the coil and keeping the magnetic field
stationary” or “moving the magnetic field and keeping the coil stationary”.

EMF is induced by changing the flux linking with a coil without moving either
coil or magnetic field system.
Dynamically Induced EMF

“Moving the coil and keeping the magnetic field stationary” or

“moving the magnetic field and keeping the coil stationary”.

EMF induced by this way is called dynamically induced emf.

Statically Induced EMF
EMF induced in a coil when both the coil and magnetic field system are stationary but the magnetic
flux linking with the coil changes is called statically induced emf.
Types of Statically Induced EMF

Self – Induced e.m.f.

Mutually Induced e.m.f.

Self Induced EMF
Self-induced e.m.f. is the e.m.f. induced in a coil due to its
own changing flux linked with it.
Self Induced EMF
Direction of induced voltage is such that it opposes the cause producing it.

Rate of change of flux depends on rate of change of current.

𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑖
𝑒∝ 𝑜𝑟 𝑒 = 𝐿
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

L is the self inductance of the coil.

 Mutually Induced EMF
Mutually induced e.m.f. is the e.m.f. induced in a coil
due to the change of flux produced by another coil
(kept close) linking with it.
 Magnetisation Curve
The curve that shows the variation in magnetic flux density B with respect to the variation in magnetic field
intensity H in a ferromagnetic material.
 Hysteresis Loop
A hysteresis loop shows the variation of the magnetic flux density (B) with respect to the
variation in magnetizing force (H).
It is often referred to as the B-H loop.
Hysteresis Loop
Retentivity – It is the ability of a material to retain a certain amount of
residual magnetic field when the magnetizing force is removed after
achieving saturation.

Residual Magnetism or Residual Flux – The magnetic flux density that

remains in a material when the magnetizing force is zero.

Coercive Force – The amount of reverse magnetic field which must be applied
to a magnetic material to make the magnetic flux return to zero.
Hysteresis and Eddy Current Loss
When a magnetic material is subjected to cyclic magnetization, two kinds of power losses occur
in it.

Hysteresis loss and Eddy current loss together called core loss.
 Hysteresis Loss
Some amount of power has to be spent to reverse the molecular magnets in the armature core
continuously.
It is considered as loss.
The loss of power in the core due to hysteresis effect is called hysteresis loss.
 Eddy Current Loss
In addition to the voltages induced in the conductors, there are also voltages induced in the magnetic core.
These voltages produce circulating currents in the core.
The core loss (hysteresis + eddy current loss) for a given specimen
of magnetic material is found to be 2000 W at 50 Hz. Keeping the
flux density constant, the frequency of the supply is raised to 75
Hz resulting in a core loss of 3200 W. Compute separately
hysteresis and eddy current losses at both the frequencies.
Leakage Flux

The stray flux, which does not take part in the energy conversion
process, is called leakage flux.

This leakage flux can never be eliminated.

The effect of leakage flux is incorporated in machine models through

the concept of the leakage inductance.
 Fringing

The flux in a magnetic circuit bulges (or fringes) outwards while passing
through an air-gap.

This results in non-uniform flux density in the air-gap, enlargement of air-

gap area and reduction in flux density in air-gap.

This phenomenon is called fringing. The effect of fringing increases with the
increase in air-gap length.
Stacking Factor
Magnetic cores are made up of thin, lightly insulated (coated with varnish) laminations to reduce
eddy current loss.

As a result, the net cross sectional area of the core occupied by the magnetic material is less than its
gross cross section.

Hence the ratio of net cross sectional area to the gross cross sectional area of the core is called
Stacking factor.
Properties of Magnetic Materials
All materials are classified according to their relative permeability.

Paramagnetic • µr slightly greater than 1

Diamagnetic • µr slightly lesser than 1

Ferro & • µr much higher than that of

Ferrimagnetic free space
Properties of Magnetic Materials
Ferromagnetic materials are further subdivided into hard and soft.

Hard
Soft
(Per. Magnet)

• Alnico • Iron and its alloys

• Chromium steel with nickel, cobalt,
• Copper nickel alloys tungsten and
aluminium
• Metal alloys