48550 Electrical Energy Technology

Chapter 4.
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
Topics to cover:
1) Introduction
2) A Simple Magnetic Circuit
3) Magnetic Circuital Laws
4) Circuit Model of Permanent Magnets
5) Inductance
6) Electromotive Force
7) Magnetic Energy
Introduction
For performance prediction of electromagnetic devices, magnetic field analysis is
required. Analytical solution of field distribution by the Maxwells equations, however, is
very difficult or sometimes impossible owing to the complex structures of practical devices.
Powerful numerical methods, such as the finite difference and finite element methods, are
out of the scope of this subject. In this chapter, we introduce a simple method of magnetic
circuit analysis based on an analogy to dc electrical circuits.
A Simple Magnetic Circuit
Consider a simple structure consisting of a current carrying coil of N turns and a
magnetic core of mean length l
c
and a cross sectional area A
c
as shown in the diagram
below. The permeability of the core material is
c
. Assume that the size of the device and
the operation frequency are such that the displacement current in Maxwells equations are
negligible, and that the permeability of the core material is very high so that all magnetic
flux will be confined within the core. By Amperes law,
H l J a =

d d
C S
we can write H l Ni
c c
=
where H
c
is the magnetic field strength in the core, and Ni the magnetomotive force. The
magnetic flux through the cross section of the core can expressed as

c c c
B A =
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
2
A simple magnetic circuit
where
c
is the flux in the core and B
c
the flux density in the core. The constitutive equation
of the core material is
B H
c c
=
Therefore, we obtain

( )

c
c c c
c
Ni
l A
F
R
= =
If we take the magnetic flux
c
as the current, the magnetomotive force F=Ni as the emf
of a voltage source, and R
c
=l
c
/(
c
A
c
) (known as the magnetic reluctance) as the
resistance in the magnetic circuit, we have an analog of Ohms law in electrical circuit
theory.
Electric Circuit Magnetic Circuit
E R
I
F R
c

c
I
E
R
=
c
c
F
R
=
Magnetic Circuital Laws
Consider the magnetic circuit in the last section with an air gap of length l
g
cut in the
middle of a leg as shown in figure (a) in the diagram below. As they cross the air gap, the
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
3
magnetic flux lines bulge outward somewhat as illustrate in figure (b). The effect of the
fringing field is to increase the effective cross sectional area A
g
of the air gap. By Amperes
law, we can write
F Ni H l H l
c c g g
= = +
where H l
B
l
A
l R
c c
c
c
c
c
c c
c c c
= = =

A simple magnetic circuit with an air gap
and
H l
B
l
A
l R
g g
g
o
g
g
o g
g g g
= = =

According to Gauss law in magnetics,
B a =

d
S
0
we know
c g
= =
Therefore,

( )
F R R
c g
= +
That is, the above magnetic circuit with an air gap is analogous to a series electric circuit.
Further, if we regard H
c
l
c
and H
g
l
g
as the voltage drops across the reluctance of the core
and airgap respectively, the above equation from Amperes law can be interpreted as an
analog to the Kirchhoffs voltage law (KVL) in electric circuit theory, or
R F
k k k
=

The Kirchhoffs current law (KCL) can be derived from the Gauss law in magnetics.
Consider a magnetic circuit as shown below. When the Gauss law is applied to the T joint
in the circuit, we have
F
R
c

R
g
Series magnetic circuit
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
4

k
k =

=
1
3
0
or in general,

k
k
n
=

=
1
0
Having derived the Ohms law, KVL
and KCL in magnetic circuits, we can solve very complex magnetic circuits by applying
these basic laws. All electrical dc circuit analysis techniques, such as mesh analysis and
nodal analysis, can also be applied in magnetic circuit analysis.
For nonlinear magnetic circuits where the nonlinear magnetization curves need to be
considered, the magnetic reluctance is a function of magnetic flux since the permeability is a
function of the magnetic field strength or flux density. Numerical or graphical methods are
required to solve nonlinear problems.
Magnetic Circuit Model of Permanent Magnets
Permanent magnets are commonly used to generate magnetic fields for
electromechanical energy conversion in a number of electromagnetic devices, such as
actuators, permanent magnet generators and motors. As mentioned earlier, the
characteristics of permanent magnets are described by demagnetization curves (the part of
hysteresis loop in the second quadrant). The diagram below depicts the demagnetization
curve of five permanent magnets. It can be seen that the demagnetization curves of some
most commonly used permanent magnets: Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB), Samarium
Cobalt, and Ceramic 7 are linear. For the convenience of analysis, we consider the magnets
with linear demagnetization curves first.
Consider a piece of permanent magnet of a uniform cross sectional area of A
m
and a
length l
m
. The demagnetization curve of the magnet is a straight line with a coercive force
of H
c
and a remanent flux density of B
r
as shown below. The demagnetization curve can be
expressed analytically as
( ) ( ) B
B
H
H H H H
m
r
c
m c m m c
= + = +
where
m
=B
r
/H
c
is the permeability of the permanent magnet, which is very close to
o
, the
permeability of free space. For a NdFeB magnet,
m
=1.05
o
.
i
1
i
2
N
1
N
2
g
1
g
2
g
3

1

3


2
Gaussian surface
Magnetic circuit of T joints
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
5
Demagnetization curves of permanent magnets
A
m
B
m
l
m

m
l
m
R
m=
A
m
H
ml
m
H
c l
m
F
m=
B
H H
c

B
r
0
B
m
H
m
Magnetic circuit model of a magnet with linear demagnetization curve
The magnetic voltage drop across the magnet can be expressed as
H l
B
H l
l
A
H l R F
m m
m
m
c m
m
m m
m c m m m m
=

= =


where R
l
A
m
m
m m
=

is the reluctance and F

m
m
m c
B
H H
=
+
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
6
which is a function of the magnetic field in the magnet. Notice that H
m
is a negative value
since it is in the opposite direction of B
m
. The derivation for the magnetic circuit model of a
nonlinear magnet is illustrated graphically by the diagram below.
A
m
B
m
l
m

m
l
m
R
m=
A
m
H
ml
m
H
c l
m
F
m=
B
H H
c

B
r
0 H
c
B
m
H
m
H
m
H
c
Magnetic circuit model of a magnet with nonlinear demagnetization curve
It should also be understood that the operating point
(H
m
,B
m
) will not move along the nonlinear
demagnetization curve if a small (such that the magnet
will not be demagnetized) periodic external magnetic
field is applied to the magnet. Instead, the operating
point will move along a minor loop or simply a straight
line (center line of the minor loop) as illustrated in the
diagram on the right hand side.
Inductance
Consider a two coil magnetic system as shown below. The magnetic flux linkage of the
two coils can be express as

1 11 12
= + and
2 21 22
= +
where the first subscript indicates the coil of flux linkage and the second the coil carrying
current. By defining the self and mutual inductances of the two coils as
L
i
jk
jk
k
=

(j=1,2 and k=1,2)
where L
jk
is the self inductance of the jth coil when j=k, the mutual inductance between the
jth coil and the kth coil when jk, and L
jk
= L
kj
, the flux linkages can be expressed as

1 11 1 12 2
= + L i L i and
2 21 1 22 2
= + L i L i
B
H H
c

B
r
0 H
c
B
m
H
m
H
m H
c
H
ex H
ex
Movement of operating point of a
nonlinear magnet under an
external field H
ex
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
7
The above definition is also valid for a n coil system. For a linear magnetic system, the
above calculation can be performed by switching on one coil while all other coils are
switched off such that the magnetic circuit analysis can be simplified. This is especially
significant for a complex magnetic circuit. For a nonlinear magnetic system, however, the
inductances can only be calculated by the above definition with all coils switched on.
i
1
i
2
N
1
N
2
g
1
g
2
g
3

1

3


2
A
1
A
3
A
2

F
R
g1

1

2

3
R
g2
R
g3
F
1 2
(a) (b)
Magnetic circuit of a two coil system
Electromotive Force
When a conductor of length l moves in a magnetic field of flux density B at a speed v,
the induced electromotive force (emf) can be calculated by
e v B = l
For a coil linking a time varying magnetic field, the induced emf can be calculated from
the flux linkage of the coil by
e
d
dt
d
dt
L
di
dt
k
k
kj
j
n
kj
j
j
n
= = =
= =

1 1
(k=1,2,n)
Magnetic Energy
In terms of inductance, the magnetic energy stored in an n coil system can be expressed
as
W i
L
L i i
f jk j
k
n
j
n
jk kj
jk k
n
j
n
jk j k
k
n
j
n
= = =
= = = = = =

1
2
1
2
1
2
1 1 1 1 1 1

Exercises
1. A coils of 200 turns is wound uniformly over a wooden ring having a mean
circumference of 600 mm and a uniform cross sectional area of 500 mm
2
. If the current
through the coil is 4 A, calculate:
(a) the magnetic field strength,
(b) the flux density, and
(c) the total flux
Answer: 1333 A/m, 167510
6
T, 0.8375 Wb
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
8

2. A mild steel ring having a cross sectional area of 500 m
2
and a mean circumference of
400 mm has a coil of 200 turns wound uniformly around it. Calculate:
(a) the reluctance of the ring and
(b) the current required to produce a flux of 800 Wb in the ring. (Given that
r
is about
380).
Answer: 1.67710
6
A/Wb, 6.7 A
3. Fig.Q3 shows an iron circuit with a small air
gap cut in it. A 6000 turn coil carries a current
I=20 mA which sets up a flux within the iron
and across the air gap. If the iron cross section is
0.810
4
m
2
, the mean length of flux path in
iron is 0.15 m,
r
=800 in iron and air gap length
is 0.75 mm, calculate the air gap flux density. It
may be assumed that the flux lines flow straight
across the air gap, i.e. air gap cross section is
also 0.810
4
mm
2
.
Answer: 0.16 T
4. A magnetic circuit is made of mild steel arranged
as in Fig.Q4. The center limb is wound with 500
turns and has a cross sectional area of 800 mm
2
.
Each of the outer limbs has a cross sectional area
of 500 mm
2
. The air gap has a length of 1 mm.
Calculate the current required to set up a flux of
1.3 mWb in the center limb, assuming no magnetic
leakage and fringing. The mean lengths of the
various magnetic paths are shown on the diagram.
(Use the given B-H curve).
Answer: 4 A
5. A magnetic circuit is made up of steel laminations
shaped as in Fig.Q5. The width of the iron is 40 mm
and the core is built up to a depth of 50 mm, of which
8 percent is taken up by insulation between the
laminations. The gap is 2 mm long and the effective
area of the gap is 2500 mm
2
. The coil is wound with
800 turns. If the leakage factor (the ratio of the total
flux linking the coil over the air gap flux) is 1.2,
calculate the magnetizing current required to produce a
flux of 0.0025 Wb across the air gap. (Use the given B-
H curve).
Answer: 5 A
Fig.Q3
Fig.Q4
Fig.Q5
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
9
6. It is desired to achieve a time varying
magnetic flux density in the air gap of the
magnetic circuit of Fig.Q6(a) of the form
B = B +B sin t
g 0 1

where B
0
=0.5 T and B
1
=0.25 T. The dc
field B
0
is to be created by a NdFeB
permanent magnet, whereas the time
varying field is to be created by a time
varying current. Assume the permeability
of the iron is infinite and neglect the
fringing effect.
(a) For the air gap dimensions given in
Fig.Q6(a), find the magnet length d if
the magnet area A
m
equals the air gap
area A
g
. Fig.Q6(b) gives the
demagnetization curve of NdFeB
permanent magnet.
(b) Find the excitation current required to
achieve the desired time varying air
gap flux density.
Answer: 2.64 (mm), i = 5.28sint (A)
d
i(t)
N
turns
NdFeB
Area Am
Magnet
Air-gap
Area Ag
g
Ag = 500 mm
g = 4 mm
N = 250 turns
2

B
(a)
B (T)
H
O
Br = 0.4
Hc = -10
6
(A/m)
(b)
Fig.Q6 (a) Magnetic circuit of Problem 1,
(b) Demagnetization curve of
permanent magnet NdFeB
Magnetic Circuit Analysis
10
7. Fig.Q7 shows a magnetic circuit with air
gaps g
1
= g
2
= g
3
= 1 mm and coils N
1
=
100 turns and N
2
= 200 turns. The cross
sectional area A of the circuit is 200 mm
2
.
Assume the permeability of the core
material approaches infinity and the
fringing effect is negligible.
Calculate:
(a) the self and mutual inductances;
(b) the total magnetic energy stored in the system, if the currents in the
coils are i
1
= i
2
= 1 A;
(c) the mutual inductance between N
1
and N
2
, if the air gap g
3
is closed.
Answer: 1.676 mH, 6.702 mH, 1.676 mH, 5.86510
-3
J, 0
A
A
A
i
1
i
2
N
1
N
2
g
1
g
2
g
3

Fig.Q7 Magnetic circuit of Problem 7