Simple calculation of eddy currents in a long passive conductor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Coufal, Oldřich^a; | Bátora, Branislav^a | Radil, Lukáš^a | Toman, Petr^a

Affiliations: [a] Brno University of Technology, Technická 3082/12, Brno, Czech Republic

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Oldřich Coufal, Brno University of Technology, 616 00 Brno, Czech Republic. E-mail: coufal@vutbr.cz

Abstract: A method is proposed for the calculation of current density in a long solid metallic conductor placed in an external variable magnetic field. The external magnetic field is perpendicular to the conductor and constant on straight lines parallel to the conductor. The conductor is passive, connected to neither a voltage source nor a current source. It is assumed that the external magnetic field is quasi-stationary and is not affected by the magnetic field of the currents induced in the conductor under examination. The frequency of external field does not exceed 1 MHz and the displacement current is neglected. The proposed method enables the calculation of current density not only in the steady state but also in the case that the external field has an arbitrary time-dependent course. Results are given of the calculation of current density in conductors with symmetrical and unsymmetrical cross section, with constant and non-constant resistivity in the conductor cross section, for both homogeneous and non-homogeneous external steady-state sinusoidal field, and for switching the external sinusoidal field on and off.

Keywords: Applied classical electromagnetism, magnetic induction, eddy currents, numerical simulation

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-180118

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 201-224, 2019