Hysteresis loss is a type of energy loss that occurs in magnetic materials when they are subjected to alternating magnetic fields. It primarily arises due to the lag between changes in the magnetizing force and the corresponding changes in the magnetic flux within the material. The main factors on which hysteresis loss depends are:
### 1. **Magnetic Material**
- **Hysteresis Loop Area**: The shape and size of the hysteresis loop are characteristic of a material. A wider loop indicates higher hysteresis loss, while a narrower loop suggests lower loss. Materials like **soft iron** have smaller loops, leading to lower hysteresis loss compared to **harder magnetic materials** like steel.
### 2. **Frequency of Magnetic Reversals**
- **Frequency (f)**: Hysteresis loss is directly proportional to the frequency of the alternating magnetic field. The faster the magnetic field changes direction, the more frequently the material undergoes magnetic cycling, which increases hysteresis loss.
- Formula for hysteresis loss can be given as:
\[
P_h \propto f \cdot A
\]
Where \(P_h\) is the hysteresis loss, \(f\) is the frequency, and \(A\) is the area of the hysteresis loop.
### 3. **Maximum Flux Density (Bmax)**
- The maximum value of the magnetic flux density (Bmax) experienced by the material also affects hysteresis loss. Higher flux densities require more energy to realign the magnetic domains within the material, leading to greater hysteresis loss.
- Hysteresis loss is proportional to \((B_{\text{max}})^{1.6}\) to \((B_{\text{max}})^2\), depending on the material.
### 4. **Volume of the Material**
- The amount of material through which the magnetic flux passes directly influences hysteresis loss. The larger the volume of the magnetic core or material, the higher the total hysteresis loss, since more energy is lost per cycle.
### 5. **Material Coercivity**
- **Coercivity** is the measure of the resistance of a material to becoming demagnetized. Materials with higher coercivity (such as hard magnetic materials) tend to have higher hysteresis losses because it takes more energy to realign their magnetic domains after each cycle.
### Formula for Hysteresis Loss:
Hysteresis loss can be approximately given by the empirical formula:
\[
P_h = \eta \cdot f \cdot V \cdot (B_{\text{max}})^n
\]
Where:
- \(P_h\) = hysteresis loss per unit volume,
- \(\eta\) = hysteresis coefficient (material constant),
- \(f\) = frequency of magnetic reversal,
- \(V\) = volume of the magnetic material,
- \(B_{\text{max}}\) = maximum flux density,
- \(n\) is typically around 1.6 to 2 depending on the material.
### Ways to Reduce Hysteresis Loss:
- Use materials with low coercivity (like soft magnetic materials).
- Use laminated cores in transformers to minimize energy losses.
- Reduce the operating frequency in applications where possible.