EEE 3I2

PART A WORKED EXAMPLES

RQ 1
An electromagnet is made using a horseshoe core as shown in the figure below

The core has an effective length of 600 mm and a cross -sectional area of 500 mm 2 . A rectangular
block of steel is held by the electromagnet’s force of alignment and a force of 20 N is required to free
it . The magnetic circuit through the block is 200 mm long and the effective cross -sectional area is
again 500 mm 2 . The relative permeability of both core and block is 700 . If the magnet is energized
by a coil of 100 turns, estimate the coil current .

SOLUTION

Step 1:Calculate the magnetic flux density, B

There are two airgaps in the magnetic circuit, hence the mechanical force required to free the block
of steel is double the magnetic force of reaction at any one gap i. e

B2 A
f M  2 F = 2.  20
2 0
Hence

0
4 x 107
B  20.  20. 6
 0.222 T
A 500 x 10
Page 1 of 19
Step 2:Calculate the magnetic field intensity, H .
B 0.222
H = = = 250 At/m
o  r 4 x 107 x 700

Step 3:Calculate the magnetomotive force, F .

F = H  lc + lb  = 250 x  600 + 200  x 103 = 200 At

Step 4:Calculate the current

F 200
I = = = 2.0 A
N 100

RQ 2
A simple relay has an airgap of length 1.0 mm and effective cross-sectional area 1000 mm2 . The
magnetizing coil consists of 1000 turns of wire carrying a current of 200 mA. Calculate the energy
stored in the airgap. The reluctance of the ferromagnetic part of the magnetic circuit may be
neglected.

SOLUTION
In terms of the given data, the energy stored in the airgap is
Wf  1
2 Li 2

N 2 0 A
 1
2 x x i2
l

10002 x 4 x  x 107 x 1000 x 106

x  200 x 103 
2
1
= 2 x 3
1.0 x 10

 0.025 J = 25 mJ

Page 2 of 19
 RQ 3
An actuator with a rotating vane is shown in the Figure below

You may assume that the permeability of both the core and the vane are infinite ( μ >  ). The total
air-gap length is 2g and shape of the vane is such that the effective area of the air gap can be
assumed to be of the form
  4 2 
Ag  A0 1    
    
Assuming the actuator to be carrying current i, write an expression for
(a) the magnetic stored energy in the actuator as a function of 
(b) the inductance of the actuator as a function of 

SOLUTION
0 Ni
(a) Flux density in the air-gap , Bg 
2g
2
1 Bg
Magnetic energy density. , wM 
2 0

Volume of air-gap, Vag  2 gAg

 1 Bg2 
Magnetic stored energy , WM  
 2  
x Vag
 0 

02 N 2i 2   4 2 
 A0 1    
4g     
( b) The inductance L is given by
N 2 0  r A
L 
l

Page 3 of 19
 For the airgap
r  1

  4  2 
A  A0 1    
    

l  2g

Hence

N 2 0   4  
2

L = A0 1    
2g     

RQ 4
An electromagnet is used to collect and support a solid piece of steel, as shown in the figure below:

(a) Derive an expression for the force in the air gap

(b) Use the following data to calculate (i) the starting current required to lift the load and (ii) the
holding current required to keep the load in place once it has been lifted and is attached to the
magnet.
N = 500 ,
μr = 104 (equal for electromagnet and load),
Initial distance (air gap) = 0.5 m,
Magnetic path length of electromagnet = l1 = 0.60 m,
Magneticpath length of movable load = l2 = 0.30 m,
Airgap cross-sectional area = 3 × 10−4 m2 ,

Page 4 of 19
Mass of load , m = 10 kg,
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s2

SOLUTION
(a) To derive an expression for the force in the air gap, we will use the relation
 2 dR  x 
FM = .
2 dx
First we express the reluctance as a function of air gap total length, R  x 

R  x   Riron  Rgap

l1  l2 2x
 
0  r A 0 A
From this
R  x  2

x 0 A

Next, we express the flux in terms of the magnetomotive force F and the reluctance R  x 

F

R  x
Ni

l1  l2 2x

0 r A 0 A
Hence, the force in the air gap, FM, is given by
 2 dR  x 
fM  .
2 dx
2
 
1  Ni  2
   .
2  l1  l2  2 x  0 A
   A  A
 0 r 0 

Simplifying, we have
2
 Ni 
f M  0  A  2

 l1  l2  2 xr 
r

(b) (i) With this expression we can now calculate the current required to overcome the gravitational
force when the load is 0.5 m away. The force we must overcome is mg = 98 N.

Page 5 of 19
 The lifting current is given by

 l1  l2  2 xr 
2

i  fM
0 r2 AN 2

 0.3 + 0.6 +2 x 0.5 x 10  4 2

 98 x
4 x 10-7 x 104x2 x 3 x 10-4 x 5002

 1019 A

(b) (ii) We calculate the holding current by letting x = 0:

 l1  l2 
2

i  fM
0 r2 AN 2

 0.3 + 0.6 
2

 98 x
4 x 10-7 x 104x2 x 3 x 10-4 x 5002

 0.0918 A

RQ 5
The solenoid relay shown in the figure below is operated from a 110 V d.c. supply and the 5000-turn
coil resistance of 5.5 kΩ.

The core diameter of the relay is 20 mm and the gap length is 1.5 mm. The gap faces may be taken as
parallel and the permeability of the ferromagnetic parts as very high.
Estimate: (a) the gap flux density; (b) the coil inductance; (c) the pull on the armature.

Page 6 of 19
SOLUTION
V 110
(a) I = = = 20 x 103 A
R 5.5 x 103
F = NI = 5000 x 20 x 103 = 1000 At
F 1000
H = = = 6.7 x 102 At/m
lg 1.5 x 103

B = 0 H = 4 x 107 x 6.7 x 102 = 84 x 103 T

(b)  = BA = B x  r 2 = 84 x 103 x  x 102 x 106 = 26.3 x 106 Wb

N 5000 x 26.3 x 106

L = = = 6.56 H
I 20 x 103

(c) The inductance L of the airgap as a function of the airgap length x is given by
N 2 0 A
L =
x

 5000  x  4 x 10 7  x  x 10 2 x 10 6 
2


x

0.00987

x
Hence
dL 0.00987
 -
dx x2
And the pull on the armature when x = 1.5 mm is
dL
fM = - 12 i 2 .
dx

x  20 x 103  x
1
2 0.00987
=
1.5 x 10 
2
3 2

= 0.88 N

Page 7 of 19
 RQ 6

The λ-i relationship for an electromechanical system shown above is given by

0.1 12
  i
g

which holds good between the limits 0 < i < 4A and 0.04 < g < 0.10 m.
If the current is maintained at 2A, find the mechanical force (of electrical origin caused by the
magnetic coupling field) on the iron bar for g = 0.06 m.

SOLUTION
First express i as a function of  and g,

 g 
2

i =  
 0.1 
Next evaluate the magnetic energy W f :

 g2 2
i g2 3
Wf   0
id   0 0.1  d  =
0.12 3

Finally, find the mechanical force required

WM   , g    g2 3  2g 3
 -  -  -
g  0.12 3 
FM
g 0.12 3

Page 8 of 19
When i = 2 A and g = 0.06 m,
1
0.1 x 2 2

 
0.06
and
3
2 x 0.06 1  0.1 x 2 2 
1

FM  - x x   -52.38 N
0.12 3  0.06 

The negative sign indicates that the force F, acts in such a direction as to decrease the
airgap length g.
Note that a positive displacement x in the figure corresponds to a
reduction dg in the airgap length, i.e., dx = —dg.

RQ 7
The magnetic structure shown with dimensions in the figure below is made out of a
ferromagnetic material that has negligible reluctance.

The rotor is free to rotate about a vertical axis. Neglect leakage and fringing.
(a). Obtain an expression for the torque acting on the rotor.
(b). Calculate the torque for a current of 1.5 amps and the dimensions given with the figure.
(c). If the maximum flux density in the airgap is to be limited to 1.5 Wb/m2 because of saturation in the
ferromagnetic structure, compute the maximum torque of the device.

SOLUTION

Page 9 of 19
(a)Choosing as independent variables the current i and the space coordinate  m , the expression for

the torque is given by

W f  i, m 
e 
 m
Since the air-gap region is linear, the magnetic energy density in the air gap is given by
Bg2 0 H g2
Wf   J/m3
2 0 2

where Bg is the air-gap flux density, Hg is the air-gap field intensity, and  0 is the permeability of free

space.
Noting that the total length of the air gap is 2g, the volume of the overall air-gap region is calculated
as
2gh(r + 0.5g)  m3

where  is the angle in radians between the stator-pole tip and the adjacent rotor-pole tip as shown in
the figure, and [(r + 0.5g)  ] is the mean arc length in the air gap. Then
Wf  0 H g2 gh  r  0.5g 

and
W f  i,  m 
e 
 m

 0 H g2 gh  r  0.5 g 

Bg2
 gh  r  0.5 g 
0
The torque acts in such a direction as to align the rotor pole faces with the stator pole faces, in the
positive direction of  as shown. The relationship between the current and the airgap field intensity
Hg, is given by

Ni = 2gH g
Hence
Ni
Hg =
2g

Page 10 of 19
Making use of the above, the mechanical torque, of electrical origin caused by the magnetic coupling
field may be expressed as
0 N 2i 2
e = gh  r  0.5 g 
4g 2

0 N 2i 2
 h  r  0.5 g 
4g

Alternatively for a linear magnetic system,  e may also be calculated from the relation

i 2 dL
e 
2 d m
In this problem the inductance, L, is given by
N2 0 AN 2
L = =
R l
where
A = cross-sectional area of the air-gap re
= h(r + 0.5g)  m
and
l = the total air-gap length
= 2g
Substituting and simplifying, we obtain
0 h  r  0.5 g  N 2
L = m
2g
and
0 N 2 i 2
e  h  r  0.5 g 
4g

(b) Using the dimensions given in the figure, the torque is

0 N 2i 2
e  h  r  0.5 g 
4g

4 x 107 x 20002 x 1.52

= 0.05  0.04 +0.5 x 0.004 
4 x 0.004

 1.421 Nm

Page 11 of 19
Note that the torque acts to increase the inductance by pulling on the rotor so as to reduce the
reluctance of the magnetic path linking the coil.

(c) The torque expression given in terms of Bg is

Bg2
e  gh  r  0.5 g 
0

If the maximum flux density in the airgap is to be limited to 1.5 Wb/m2 because of saturation in the
ferromagnetic structure, the maximum torque of the device is

Bg2 max gh  r  0.5 g 

 e max 
0

1.52 x 0.004 x 0.05  0.04  0.5 x 0.004 


4 x 107

= 15.04 Nm

RQ 8
As shown in the figure below, an N-turn (N = 450) electromagnet is to be used to lift a slab of iron.

ofmass M.

The surface roughness of the iron is such that when the iron and the electromagnet are in contact,
there is a minimum air gap of gmin = 0.18 mm in each leg. The electromagnet cross-sectional area
Ac = 32 cm2 and coil resistance is 2.8 Ω. Calculate the minimum coil voltage which must be used to
lift a slab of mass 95 kg against the force of gravity. Neglect the reluctance of the iron.

Page 12 of 19
SOLUTION
The coil inductance is given by

0 N 2 Ac
Lg =
2g

The mechanical force due to the stored magnetic field energy is given by
1 2 dL
FM  i
2 dg

0 N 2 Ac
= 2
i2
4g

The force to overcome is

Fg = Mge = 95 x 9.8 = 931 N

Hence the required minimum current is given by

2
4 g min
imin = Fg
0 N 2 Ac

2 g min Fg
=
N 0 Ac

2 x 0.18 x 10 3 931
=
450 4 x 10 x 32 x10 4
7

= 0.385 A

Therefore the required minimum voltage is given by

Vmin = Ri = 2.8 x 0.385 = 1.08 V

Page 13 of 19
 RQ 9
An inductor is made up of a 525-turn coil on a core of 14-cm2 cross-sectional area and
gap length 0.16 mm. The coil is connected directly to a 120-V 60-Hz voltage source.
Neglect the coil resistance and leakage inductance. Assuming the coil reluctance to be
negligible, calculate the time-averaged force acting on the core tending to close the air
gap. How would this force vary if the air-gap length were doubled?

SOLUTION
The coil inductance is given by

0 N 2 Ac
Lg =
g

The mechanical force due to the stored magnetic field energy is given by

1 2 dL
FM  i
2 dg
1 2  0 N 2 Ac 
= - i  
2  g2 
i2 L
= -
2g
Since the coil resistance and leakage inductance are negligible, the current in the coil ca be written as

i  t  = I m cos t
where
Vm
Im =
L
Hence
i2 L
FM  -
2g
I m2 L
= - cos2 t
2g
This implies that the time-averaged force acting on the core tending to close the air gap is given by

Page 14 of 19
 2
I rms L
FM  -
2g
2
Vrms L
= -
2 g L
2 2

2
Vrms
= -
2 2 0 N 2 Ac
1202
= -
2 x 120  x 4 x107 x 5252 x 14 x10 4
2

= -104.48 N

RQ 10

Consider the simple magnetic system of the figure below.

(a) Derive the expression for current necessary to suspend the armature.
(b) For an air gap length of 0.12 mm, an air gap cross sectional area of 1092 mm 2, and a 230

turn coil calculate the current required to just suspend the 12.5 newton armature.

SOLUTION
(a) The energy stored in the magnetic field is given by
t
Wm   e i dt
0

But
Page 15 of 19
 d
e =
dt
where
 = N  = L i
Therefore
t d 
Wm  0 dt i dt = 
0
i d

Hence
  1 2 1 2
Wm =  d = = i  L  x
0 L 2 L 2
Now

N2 N2 0 Ag N 2
L  x =  =
R x x
0 Ag
Therefore, the mechanical force due to the stored magnetic field is

Wm dL 0 Ag N 2
fM = = - 12 i 2 . = i2
x dx 2x 2

Hence, the expression for the current necessary to suspend the armature is given by

fM  2 x2
i  x =
0 Ag N 2

(b) Given that

fM = 12.5 N, x = 0.12 mm = 0.12 x 10-3 m, Ag = 1092 mm2 = 1092 x 10-6 m2, N = 230,

we obtain

12.5 x 2 x  0.12 x 10 3 
2
fM  2 x2
i  x = = = 0.070 A = 70 mA
0 Ag N 2 4 x 107 x 1092 x10 6 x 230 2

Page 16 of 19
 RQ 11
The magnetic flux density on the surface of an iron face is 1.6 T, which is a typical saturation level
value for ferromagnetic materials. Find the force density on the iron face.

SOLUTION
Let the cross-sectional area of the iron face be A.
The field energy in the airgap volume contained between two parallel faces separated by a distance x
is given by
1 B 2 Ax
W f  B, x  =
2 0

The mechanical force due to the field is

W f  B, x  1 B2 A
FM = - = -
x 2 0

The negative sign indicates that the force acts in a direction to reduce x (i.e. it is an attractive force between the two
faces).

The force per unit area is given by

1 1.6 
2
1 B2
FM = =  = 1.02 x 106 N/m 2
2 0 2 4 x 107

RQ 12
Consider the electromagnetic relay shown below excited from a voltage source.

The current i and flux linkages λ are related as

i =  2 + 2 1 - x 
2

Find the force on the armature as a function of 

Page 17 of 19
SOLUTION
The change in field energy due to an infinitesimal change in flux linkage dλ at a current i(λ) is
dW f = id

The total field energy at flux linkage λ is

 
  1 3
Wf , x =  id  =  + 2 1 - x  d  =  + 2 1  x 
2 2 2
0 0 3
Hence the force on the armature as a function of  is
W f   , x 
FM = = 2 2 1  x 
x

RQ 13
Two windings, one mounted on a stator and the other on a rotor, have self- and mutual inductances
of
L1= 4.5 H
L2= 2.5 H
M = 2.8cosθ H
where θ is the angle between the axes of the windings. The resistances of the windings may be
neglected. Winding 2 is short-circuited, and the current in winding 1 as a function of time is
il = 10 sin ωt A
(a) Derive an expression for the instantaneous torque on the rotor in terms of the angle θ.
(b) Compute the time-averaged torque when θ = 45°.
(c) If the rotor is allowed to move, will it rotate continuously or will it tend to come to rest?
If the latter, at what value of θ0 ?

SOLUTION
(a) In the case of doubly-excited system, the electromagnetic torque developed in the doubly excited
system is given by
dW f d 1 2 1  i12 dL1 i2 2 dL2 dM
e    11L i  L i 2
 Mi12
i =   i1i2
d d  2 2 d 2 d d
2 2
2 

In this case L1 and L2 are independent of θ , hence the torque is given by

Page 18 of 19
 dM
e = i1i2 = -2.8 i1i2 sin 
d
Since winding 2 is short circuited and the winding resistances are neglected

v2 = e2 = 0
This implies that
2  L2i2  Mi1 = 0,

giving
M
i2 = - i1 = -1.12i1 cos 
L2

Hence, the expression for the instantaneous torque on the rotor is given by

e = -2.8 i1i2 sin  = -3.14i 2 sin  cos  = - 314sin 2 t  sin  cos 

(b) The time-averaged torque is given by

e = - 314  sin 2 t   sin  cos 

We use the formula
1  1  cos  2t  1
sin 2 t  =  =
 0 2 2
Hence

e = - 157  sin  cos 

When   45 the time-averaged torque is
1 1
e = - 157  sin  cos  = - 157   = 78.5 Nm
2 2

(c) The time-averaged torque with respect to  is zero. Hence the rotor will not rotate continuously. It
will tend to come to rest when

sin  cos  = 1
2 sin  2  = 0   =
2

Page 19 of 19