Hysteresis loss is a concept in electrical engineering, particularly relevant in the context of magnetic materials and transformers. It's a type of energy loss that occurs due to the lag between the magnetic field applied to a material and the magnetization of that material. Let's break it down in detail:
### What Is Hysteresis Loss?
**1. Definition:**
Hysteresis loss is the energy lost in the form of heat when a magnetic material is subjected to a cyclic magnetizing force. This loss occurs because the magnetic domains within the material do not align perfectly with the external magnetic field every time the field is applied and removed.
**2. Magnetic Hysteresis Loop:**
To understand hysteresis loss, it's important to grasp the concept of the magnetic hysteresis loop. When a magnetic material (like iron) is subjected to a varying magnetic field, its magnetization (the extent to which it becomes magnetized) lags behind the applied field. This lag creates a loop when you plot magnetization against the applied field strength.
- **Magnetization Curve:** Initially, as the magnetic field increases, the material's magnetization increases. However, the magnetization doesn’t drop back to zero immediately when the field is removed. Instead, it follows a different path when the field is decreased and reversed.
- **Hysteresis Loop:** The resulting graph forms a loop. The area enclosed by this loop represents the hysteresis loss per cycle of magnetization.
**3. Cause of Hysteresis Loss:**
The loss is due to the frictional forces that occur when the magnetic domains (tiny magnetic regions within the material) try to realign with the changing external magnetic field. This realignment is not instantaneous and involves some resistance, which results in energy dissipation as heat.
**4. Impact on Devices:**
Hysteresis loss is an important consideration in the design of electrical devices that use magnetic materials, such as transformers and electric motors.
- **Transformers:** In transformers, hysteresis loss contributes to the overall core loss, which also includes eddy current losses. Minimizing hysteresis loss is crucial for improving transformer efficiency.
- **Electric Motors:** In electric motors, hysteresis loss affects the performance and efficiency, leading to the generation of unwanted heat.
**5. Reducing Hysteresis Loss:**
To reduce hysteresis loss, engineers use materials with low hysteresis loss characteristics, such as silicon steel or amorphous steel. These materials have properties that reduce the area of the hysteresis loop, thereby reducing the energy lost per cycle.
### Key Points:
- **Hysteresis Loss** refers to the energy lost in a magnetic material due to the lag between the magnetic field and the magnetization.
- **Magnetic Hysteresis Loop** illustrates this lag and the associated loss as the area within the loop.
- **Impact:** This loss is significant in electrical devices involving magnetic materials, affecting their efficiency and performance.
- **Mitigation:** Using materials with low hysteresis loss helps in reducing these losses.
Understanding hysteresis loss helps in designing more efficient electrical systems and improving the performance of devices that rely on magnetic materials.