THE IMPACT OF

EDDY
CURRENTS IN THE
TRANSFORMER
WINDINGS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Eddy currents are currents which circulate in
conductors like swirling eddies in a stream. They are
induced by changing magnetic fields and flow in
closed loops, perpendicular to the plane of the
magnetic field. It was first observed in 1824 by
scientist and Prime Minister of France, François
Arago. Lenz’s Law was postulated by Heinrich Lenz
then later in 1855 when French physicist Léon
Foucault officially discovered eddy currents.
 INTRODUCTION
Like any current flowing through a conductor, an eddy current will
produce its own magnetic field. Lenz’s Law states that the direction
of magnetically induced current, like an eddy current, will be such
that the magnetic field produced will oppose the change of magnetic
field which created it. A transformer is an electrical device which, by
the principles of electromagnetic induction, transfers electrical energy
from one electric circuit to another. As the transformer operates, there
many things that happen inside the system of the transformer and one
of them is the generation of eddy current.
 Background of the Study
Eddy current has been very useful in many aspects such as Electromagnetic
braking, Repulsive effects and levitation and many more. However, on the
other side eddy current develop such phenomena. This phenomena somehow
decrease the efficiency of a transformer. The problem of eddy currents in
transformer windings is physically related to the problem of eddy currents in
slot-wound-armature conductors. This latter problem has also been treated by
authors in the past, and probably the results given for armature conductors
have been applied to transformer windings. However, it does not seem to be
easy to apply these results in such a way as to obtain accurate answers for
transformer windings.
OBJECTIVES
1. To figure out how eddy current work on the
transformer.
2. To determine the positive and negative impact of
eddy current on a transformer windings.
3. To find out the possible solution on the drawback
of eddy current on a transformer windings.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1. What is the root of eddy current in the transformer?
2. How does the eddy current impact the operation of
the transformer winding?
3. What are the ways or methods to rectify the
drawback eddy current transformer windings?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This is study will benefit the following:
Electrical engineering students
Electrical engineering practitioners
People who have interests in transformer and eddy
current
The proponents.
 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
This research focused on eddy current and its impact on the
transformer. It tackled the origin and the working principle of
eddy current, the effect of eddy current and other details
related to eddy current in the transformers. Information, data
and literature that was not related to the research topic was
disregarded. Information and data from past researches on the
internet was used as reference and tool in order for the
researcher to gather information to satisfy the objectives and
problem statement.
 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
 Semley. A. et al. (1993)
The global eddy current problem in a transformer includes the eddy currents in the windings, in the core and in the tank. In
relation to the eddy current effects in transformer windings, only frequency domain results are available at present. Models
are derived by fitting electric circuits to the analytical expressions for the impedance of windings and laminations. An
accurate representation of the effects of eddy currents up to very high frequencies with relatively low order models was
achieved. The accurate modeling of eddy current effects is very important for predicting the damping during transients since
the actual resistance of the windings at high frequencies is by several orders of magnitude larger than its low frequency value
and the penetration depth into the laminations at high frequencies is very small. Eddy current effects of transformers in the
windings and in the iron core.
For the windings, Time domain models have been derived for the representation of Existing equations for the calculation of
eddy current losses in transformer windings were used in their impedance form to fit different lumped parameter models.
These models have a series Foster fume and their order has been reduced by fitting to the real part only. The low frequency
response is optimized by oscillatory filing.
For the iron core, a dual Cauer model has been derived with optimal discretization of the laminations thickness. This model
predicts very accurately the variation of the resistance and inductance as a function of frequency. Tests performed with the
new models for eddy current representation have shown that they provide appropriate damping effects in the simulation of
transients as determined by the underlying physical phenomena. The lumped parameter models can be incorporated in a
complete transformer model for the calculation of transients.
 Chandrasena, W. et al (2002)
One of the most important parameters of a magnetic material used in a.c applications is its losses.
There are two forms of losses which occur in a transformer core. They are the hysteresis loss and
eddy current loss. Eddy currents are induced in transformer core laminations by an alternating flux
in the core and the losses arising from these eddy currents are frequency dependent. The modelling
of eddy current loss in a laminated iron core is at least as important as modelling of hysteresis as
described in. There exists a wide variety of representations for hysteresis and eddy current losses in
transformer models used for power system transient studies. The most commonly used method to
represent losses is to add a shunt resistance across one winding as in. A frequency dependent
resistance matrix is used in to model the effects produced by eddy currents. A different approach is
used in, where the relationship between an equivalent eddy current field and the rate of change of
Aux density has been experimentally obtained to represent losses in current transformers. A
simulation model based on the Jiles-Atherton theory of ferromagnetic hysteresis was extended to
incorporate the effects of classical eddy current loss and excess or anomalous loss.
 F. de Leon et al. (1994)
A detailed transformer model was made which includes the losses in the windings. This model is derived from the calculation
of self and mutual impedances in transformers. Quantities related to leakage impedances can be, however, inaccurate being
differences between nearly equal numbers. To get accurate leakage related quantities and losses, a tests is done to compute
some adjustment parameters. Another detailed model derived from classical transformer theory was presented. This model is
capable of handling the frequency dependent losses in the transformer windings however, it also uses self and mutual
inductances with the inconveniences noted above. In other instances, the problem of ill-conditioning has been adequately
solved in transient simulations by subtracting a common flux in the calculation of self and mutual inductances. In fact,
subtracting a large common quantity from the self and mutual inductances is equivalent to the direct use of leakage
inductances we have adopted for the modeling of transformers.
A state space model for the eddy currents losses in the windings of transformers has been developed. This model is suitable
for the study of high frequency electromagnetic transients since it is based on hm-toturn information. The location of the
losses (for hot spot calculations) can be obtained from the matrices constituting the total resistance matrix. A fitting technique
for the approximation of smooth transfer function matrices has also been developed. Its applicability reaches beyond the field
of transformer modeling. For validation, the total eddy current losses for the turn-to-turn model have been compared with the
losses obtained by a well-tested formula for full windings. Frequency and time domain simulations have been compared
against test results for illustration and further validation. , By performing calculations with sections containing groups of
turns, the computations become sufficiently fast for practical applications even for large transformers.
 Jazebi, S. et.al.(2013)
Eddy Currents induced during high-frequency transients in power transformers cause non-uniform distribution of the magnetic
flux in the iron core and non-uniform current distribution in the windings. Eddy current losses in transformer cores are
conventionally represented, for steady-state studies (50/60 Hz) by a constant resistor in parallel with a magnetizing inductor,
and dynamic eddy currents in the windings are neglected. Obviously, the constant resistance model is meant for steady-state
analysis and not for transient studies. Therefore, this model is not accurate for many types of transient studies. Mid-frequency,
high-frequency, and even some low-frequency studies require accurate representation of the frequency-dependent effects of
eddy currents in the windings and in the core. The goals of modeling eddy
A physical Cauer circuit has been proposed to model the eddy current effects in transformer windings. The model has been
developed from the solution of the electromagnetic-field problem in dc and accurately predicts the behavior of inductance and
resistance for frequencies of up to 1 MHz. The parameters of the optimal model are computed from simple and efficient
formulas that rely only on geometrical information. It has been confirmed that the electrical model is completely dual to the
electromagnetic phenomena with finite-elements simulations. The current in the inductors is analogous to the magnetic flux,
while currents flowing in the winding sections correspond to currents in the model’s resistors. Therefore, the circuit can give a
precise and accurate view of the electromagnetic phenomena occurring in the windings. The techniques in the paper are valid
for a solid single-layer winding up to at least 1 MHz which is well below the quasistatic limit for a single copper conductor.
The effect of capacitances will be presented in an upcoming paper for multilayer windings and multiwinding transformers. The
model has been only applied to layer windings. However, it is believed that the same methodology can be applied to disks.
Ning, D. et.al. (1997)
In a 2-D visualization on the high frequency magnetic field and current distribution, and to
quantify high frequency power dissipation and energy storage by taking high frequency skin
effect, proximity and effect into account. The characteristics of different winding arrangements
with different wire types arc accurately predicted. FEA results show that the interleaving
structure has a lower ac-resistance and leakage inductance than those of the sandwiched
structures, regardless of which type of wire is used. For the same winding arrangement, the
transformer with a Litz wire primary has the lowest ac resistance, and the transformer with
printed-wire has the lowest leakage inductance. The fully interleaving copper foil structure has
the lowest ac-resistance and leakage inductance compared to any other winding arrangements
discussed, because of the largest interface region between primary and secondary windings. A
low-profile transformer is built with a copper on Kapton winding and a modified RMX core
incorporated into B 1OOW (30 A @ 3.3 V) converter using self-drive synchronous rectifiers. It
provides the best overall performance.
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
 Methodology
Research Design
Case Study Method. Case Study approach is particularly useful to
employ when there is a need to obtain an in-depth appreciation of an issue,
event or phenomenon of interest, in its natural real-life context.
Data Gathering and Procedure
Secondary Data Analysis or Archival Study method. It refers to the
analysis of existing data collected by others. Secondary analysis affords
researchers the opportunity to investigate research using large-scale data
sets, while saving time and resources. Information gathered was complied to
establish concrete ideas to answer the needed information in this study.
 CHAPTER IV
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
ROOT OF EDDY CURRENT IN A
TRANSFORMER
 Root of eddy current in a transformer
 Eddy currents are locally generated current loops in the transformer core.
 This originate due to the transformer’s core is in close proximity of the
varying magnetic field of the primary winding or they caused by the changing
magnetic field. The secondary magnetic field opposes the initial magnetic field
and reacts against it, which in turn generates a circular electrical field.
 Summarizing, anything which results in the conductor experiencing a change
in the intensity or direction of a magnetic field produces eddy currents. This is
exactly the effect that causes currents in the secondary when the magnetic field
is changed due to how the primary is driven.
 Root of eddy current in a transformer.
For example the difference between a conductive metal core and
another secondary. A conductive core acts like another secondary that
is always shorted. Anytime there is relative motion between a
conductor and a magnetic field such that the flux lines cut across the
conductor, current is generated in the conductor. The transformer core
is steel conductor and the 60Hz/50Hz alternating current creates a
magnetic field that expands and contracts across the steel, inducing a
current in it. The current really has nowhere to go so it circulates
within the steel as eddy currents.
EDDY CURRENT’S IMPACT
IN THE OPERATION OF THE
TRANSFORMER WINDING
 Eddy Current’s impact in the operation of the transformer
winding
When eddy currents flow in the conductor, a large amount of energy is dissipated. The energy
loss due to the flow of eddy current is inevitable but it can be reduced to a greater extent.
 Eddy current can cause unwanted damping effect. It is produced by processes that dissipate the
energy stored in the oscillation.
Magnetic flux leakage also occur where the leakage is formed by the flux that links one
winding and does not link the other winding. It can be measured as a voltage drop at the
transformer terminals.
The most significant aspect that happen in a transformer is the phenomenon that is called eddy
current loss. Eddy current loss is one of the reasons why the efficiency of a transformer
reduce. It is generated when the changing flux links with the core itself, it induces emf in the
core which in turns sets up the circulating current.
 Eddy Current’s impact in the operation of the transformer
winding
Internal eddy currents within windings are responsible for skin effect and proximity
effect. It reduces the cross sectional area available for useful electrical conduction within
both the primary and secondary windings. These effects scale as the square of frequency,
so they are also a non-linear function of the frequency and wave shape of the applied
voltage. When conductors are in close proximity, as in typical transformer windings, the
magnetic fields from nearby conductors also create uneven electrical conduction within
each conductors.
Skin and proximity effects can significantly reduce the effective conducting cross
sectional area of the conductors used in transformer windings operating at higher
frequencies, since the reduction in cross-sectional area greatly increases AC resistive
losses. It's not unusual to see AC resistive losses that are 5 - 50 times larger than low-
frequency resistive losses for transformers, especially in transformers using multi-layer
windings.
 Eddy Current’s impact in the operation of the transformer
winding
Eddy currents does not provide any significant positive impact or
effects on the transformer windings because eddy current lessen
the efficiency of the transformer by the reason of the power loss
and leakage that is developed during the transformer’s operation.
 METHODS TO RECTIFY THE
DRAWBACKS OF EDDY CURRENT IN
THE TRANSFORMER
 Methods to rectify the drawbacks of
eddy current in the transformer
One method to reduce this unwanted drawbacks is to start with a long thin sheet of iron
and wind it up to make a bulk volume, with a thin insulating layer between each layer of
winding. Now the transformer core looks like a secondary winding, but since the ends
aren't connected, it is always open circuit and therefore not present electrically. That's
often called a wound core.
Another is the resistance of the core should be increased. The transformers should be
constructed by thin sheets of steel in the core should be insulated from each other by a
thin layer of varnish. As the laminations are thin, they will have relatively high resistance.
The planes of these sheets are placed perpendicular to the direction of the current that
would be set up by the induced emf.
 Methods to rectify the drawbacks of
eddy current in the transformer
The planes of these sheets are arranged parallel to the magnetic fields so that they can
cut across the eddy current paths. Large resistances between the sheets confines the eddy
currents to the thin sheets. Each lamination sheet will have an eddy current circulates
within it. Eddy currents still exist, but only within each thin sheet, so are greatly
reduced. The sum of individual eddy currents of all the laminations are very less
compared to that of using a single solid iron core.
To avoid the overheating of the core, the use metallic sheets are also considered. These
sheets are electrically insulated. The cores are insulated with some insulating material as
a result heat won’t get transferred to surroundings. These cores are known as laminated
cores.
 CHAPTER V
Conclusion and Recommendation
 Conclusion
Eddy currents are induced by changing magnetic fields and flow in closed loops,
perpendicular to the plane of the magnetic field. In the transformer they are current loops in
the transformer core. It originates due to the transformer’s core is in close proximity of the
varying magnetic field of the primary.
A large amount of energy is dissipated in the form of heat for the reason of friction in the
magnetic circuit. The energy loss due to the flow of eddy current causes unwanted damping
effect on the transformer and also produce magnetic flux leakage. Eddy current loss is also
one of the reasons why the efficiency of a transformer reduces. Internal eddy currents
within windings are responsible for skin effect and proximity effect. These reduce the
cross-sectional area available for useful electrical conduction within both the primary and
secondary windings. Eddy currents don’t provide any significant positive impact.
Conclusion
When the primary of an iron-core transformer is energized by an
alternating-current source, a fluctuating magnetic field is produced.
The use Long thin sheet of iron and wind it up to make a bulk
volume, with a thin insulating layer between each layer of winding or
the use of to use thin sheets of steel in the core should be insulated
from each other by a thin layer of varnish is most likely to be
considered to neutralize the impact of eddy current in the transformer
windings. With this methods eddy currents still exist, but so are
greatly reduced. The design of transformer core is crucial to minimize
the eddy current and its impact.
Recommendation
Data and information needed was gathered successfully however, there
are still things regarding to the topic that needs to be work with. The
discussed findings were just the beginning in learning the impact of
eddy current in the transformer windings. There are still many things
that will be rooted out if this research will be continued. Not just the
origin or the impacts or the way in reducing eddy current on the
transformer can be stumbled on. This topic is very broad, there are still
many things waiting to be discovered through various experiments or
implementing mathematical and scientific equations to have an in-depth
analysis.