Article
Article
Eddy current
Article By:
Manning, Kenneth V. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
Watanabe, K. Central Research Laboratory, Daido Steel Company, Nagoya, Japan.
Drake, A. E. Division of Electrical Science, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, United Kingdom.
Wright, Arthur Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.213000
An electric current induced within the body of a conductor when that conductor either moves through a nonuniform magnetic field or is in a region where there is a change in magnetic flux. It is sometimes called Foucault current. Although eddy currents can be induced in any electrical conductor, the effect is most pronounced in solid metallic conductors. Eddy currents are utilized in induction heating and to damp out oscillations in various devices.
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