Power losses in thick steel laminations with hysteresis

Magnetic power losses have been experimentally investigated and theoretically predicted over a range of frequencies (direct current-1.5 kHz) and peak inductions (0.5-1.5 T) in 1-mm-thick FeSi 2 wt. % laminations. The direct current hysteresis properties of the system are described by the Preisach model, with the Preisach distribution function reconstructed from the measurement of the recoil magnetization curve (B-p=1.7 T). On this basis, the time behavior of the magnetic induction vs frequency at different lamination depths is calculated by a finite element method numerical solution of Maxwell equations, which takes explicitly into account the Preisach model hysteretic B(H) relationship. The computed loop shapes are, in general, in good agreement with the measured ones. The power loss dependence on frequency is predicted and experimentally found to change from a similar to f(3/2) to a similar to f(2) law with increasing peak induction. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.