AC current skin effect due to eddy current?

Thread starter leojun
Start date Oct 23, 2014
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Ac Ac current Current Eddy current Skin Skin effect

In summary, skin effect is a phenomenon in AC current where the current tends to flow more towards the surface of a conductor rather than through its entire cross-section due to the repulsion between the AC magnetic field and the electrons in the conductor. This is caused by eddy currents and leads to an increase in resistance as the frequency of the AC current increases. Skin effect can be minimized by using conductors with larger cross-sectional areas or materials with lower conductivity, but it cannot be completely eliminated. It can impact the performance of electrical systems by causing non-uniform current distribution, higher losses, and overheating of conductors. Therefore, engineers need to consider skin effect when designing electrical systems.

Oct 23, 2014

leojun

is skin effect of ac due to eddy current?

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Oct 23, 2014

ehild

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leojun said:

is skin effect of ac due to eddy current?

Yes, it is connected to that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_effect

1. What is skin effect in AC current?

Skin effect is the tendency of alternating current (AC) to flow more towards the surface of a conductor rather than through its entire cross-section. This is due to the repulsion between the AC magnetic field and the electrons in the conductor, causing them to move towards the surface.

2. What causes skin effect in AC current?

Skin effect is caused by eddy currents, which are circular currents induced in a conductor by a changing magnetic field. These currents create a counter magnetic field that repels the AC current towards the surface of the conductor.

3. How does skin effect affect the resistance of a conductor?

The resistance of a conductor increases as the frequency of the AC current increases, due to the skin effect. This is because the current is flowing through a smaller cross-sectional area, resulting in a higher resistance. This effect is more significant in materials with high conductivity and at higher frequencies.

4. Can skin effect be minimized or eliminated?

Skin effect can be minimized by using conductors with larger cross-sectional areas, as this reduces the resistance. It can also be reduced by using materials with lower conductivity, as they have less repulsion towards the AC magnetic field. However, it cannot be completely eliminated as it is a natural phenomenon in AC current.

5. How does skin effect impact the performance of electrical systems?

Skin effect causes a non-uniform distribution of current in a conductor, which can lead to higher losses and inefficiencies in electrical systems. It can also result in overheating of conductors and affect the overall performance and reliability of the system. Therefore, it is important for engineers to consider skin effect when designing electrical systems.