Latest Generation Of 3D Electromagnetic Finite Element Analysis Software With Breakthrough Simplicity Facilitates Magnetic Component Design

Focus:

Finite element analysis (FEA) software is a great tool for simulating electromagnetic fields in chokes and transformers, allowing accurate computation of the spatial distribution of the current, flux density, associated losses and resulting temperature rise as well as the impact of the magnetic component on the efficiency of the converter. By manipulating dimensions and geometrical arrangements we can arrive at the most compact, efficient and lowest-cost structure. Unfortunately, 3D FEA software gained the reputation of being expensive, tedious and requiring great skill to obtain accurate results. Consequently, practicing power supply designers were forced to resort to simpler methods. However, FEA vendors have been busy trying to improve the ease of use, accuracy, stability and versatility of their tools. And as the author explains in this article, some of them have become truly practical design tools for hands-on power supply designers with general knowledge of magnetic components. This article discusses practical limitations of using Dowell’s curves in transformer design, how FEA tools such as EMS together with SolidWorks can overcome these limits, and steps for performing electromagnetic and thermal simulations. A simulation example demonstrates how electromagnetic and thermal analysis can be performed in a single step.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the benefits and practicality of using FEA software in the design of transformers and chokes
• How to overcome the limitations of Dowell’s curves in transformer design by using FEA tools
• How to accurately compute the spatial distribution of the current, flux density, associated losses and resulting temperature rise in a transformer design

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Author & Publication:

Peter Markowski, Envelope Power, Ansonia, Conn. , How2Power Today, Sep 15 2014

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