Ferrite Core Magnetics (Part 1): Ungapped Ferrite Cores

Focus:

Ferrite cores have distinct characteristics from iron-powder cores, which leads to their usage in different power conversion applications. These differences also dictate some different considerations when selecting and designing transformers with ferrite cores. This two–part article discusses the qualities of both ungapped and gapped ferrite cores, and techniques for achieving best results in transformer designs. This part 1 examines ungapped ferrite cores, which find optimal use in transformers. This article explains ferrite saturation and power-loss characteristics, and presents the outline of a method for optimizing transformer design with ferrite cores, with emphasis on the design parameter, γ, the ripple factor for maximizing either core utilization or power transfer. Distinctions between the material characteristics and transformer design methods associated with ungapped ferrite cores are contrasted with those of powder cores. Finally some differences in methodology for optimizing coupled inductors rather than transformers are noted.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand the differences between ferrite cores and iron-powder cores
• How to optimize transformer design using gapped ferrite cores (advanced concepts)
• How to optimize coupled inductor designs using gapped ferrite cores (advanced concepts)

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Author & Publication:

Dennis Feucht, Innovatia Laboratories, Cayo, Belize, How2Power Today, Jul 14 2017

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