How Do Eddy Currents Form in Transformers?

[japam]

someone knows how eddy currents in transformers are produced? by friction , resistance or heat transfer?
i mean the classical example is the wheel that is braked between the poles of an electromagnet, but how this applies to a transformer where there is exactly the opossed, a fixed conductor and variable magnetic field

(btw, english is not my native , so i always thought eddy currents was named because a scientist named eddy, just todays little discovery )

 

[tehno]

someone knows how eddy currents in transformers are produced? by friction , resistance or heat transfer?

Yes,*someone* quite possibly knows.Eddy currents ,namely in ferromagnetic core,aren't produced by "friction ,resistance or by heat transferr".
They are produced by alternating magnetic field by Faradey's law of Electromagnetic induction.

To moderator:This question is the most suitable for EE subforum.Move it there

 

[astrokreng]

Eddy currents are induced electric currents that circulate within conductive materials, such as the metal components of a transformer. These currents are created by the changing magnetic field produced by the transformer's primary winding.

As you mentioned, the classic example of a wheel braked between the poles of an electromagnet is a good illustration of eddy currents. In this scenario, the wheel's metal surface is subjected to a changing magnetic field as it passes through the poles of the electromagnet. This changing magnetic field induces eddy currents within the wheel, which in turn produce a resistive force that slows down the wheel's rotation.

In a transformer, the situation is similar but reversed. The primary winding, which is made of conductive material, is connected to an alternating current (AC) source. This AC current produces a constantly changing magnetic field around the winding. This changing magnetic field induces eddy currents within the conductive material of the transformer's core. These eddy currents create a resistive force that opposes the flow of current in the primary winding. This resistance results in heat being generated within the transformer, which is why transformers can get hot during operation.

In summary, eddy currents in transformers are formed by the interaction between a changing magnetic field and conductive materials. They can be a source of energy loss in transformers, so it is important for engineers to consider ways to minimize their effects in transformer design. I hope this explanation helps clarify the concept of eddy currents for you. And don't worry, the name "eddy currents" does not come from a scientist named Eddy, but rather from the swirling or eddying motion of the currents themselves.