Electrical Machines · Fundamentals

Magnetic Circuits: Leakage Flux & Fringing Effect

Dr. Mithun Mondal BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus Electrical Machines

Demonstrative Video

SECTION 01

Leakage Flux

  • \(\phi\) which does not follow the intended path in a magnetic circuit is called leakage flux

leakage flux
Leakage Flux
  • When some \(I\) is passed through a solenoid magnetic flux is produced

  • Most \(\phi\) is set-up in the magnetic core and passes through the air gap (an intended path) known as useful flux \(\phi_u\).

  • However, some \(\phi\) is just set-up around the coil and is not utilised for any work. This flux is called leakage flux \(\phi_l\)

  • \[\phi=\phi_u+\phi_l\]
    Total flux produced by the solenoid
Fringing:
  • \[\text { Leakage co-efficient, } \lambda=\frac{\phi}{\phi_{u}}\]
    Leakage co-efficient or leakage factor:
  • Fringing:

    • \(\phi_u\) when sets-up in the air gap, it tends to bulge outwards ( b and b’) since the magnetic lines set-up in the same direction repel each other.

    • This increases the effective area in the air gap and decreases \(B\)

    • The fringing is directly proportional to the length of the air gap.