How does air gap affect the B-H curve in a high-power inductor?

Therefore, the air gap is one of the most important parts of magnetic circuits, especially in high-power inductors. Thanks to the gap, a larger current is required for the magnetic material to reach its saturation point . The effect of air gap on the B-H curve in an air–gap inductor is seen in Fig. 1 .

Why is air gap important in a magnetic circuit?

However, placing an air gap in the core decreases the total inductance of the magnetic circuit. Therefore, the air gap is one of the most important parts of magnetic circuits, especially in high-power inductors. Thanks to the gap, a larger current is required for the magnetic material to reach its saturation point .

What happens if you put an air gap in an inductor?

The flux in the core of an inductor without an air gap depends on the core geometry. In this case, even a small current value in an inductor with a certain number of turns can easily saturates the core. However, placing an air gap in the core decreases the total inductance of the magnetic circuit.

Why do inductor cores have an air gap?

The air gap in the inductor cores creates fringing flux, which increases losses in the conductors located near the air gap, as seen in Fig. 3. To reduce this problem, the air gap can be divided into smaller lengths. The air gap is distributed as evenly and uniformly as possible throughout the entire core structure.

Why is the design of air-gapped inductors important?

However, the design of air-gapped inductors is important because the nonlinear properties of the B-H curve of the core material are related to saturation and power losses, and also it is difficult because the fringing flux level around the air gap will increase, thus resulting in the propagation of higher levels of electromagnetic disturbance .

Does inductance change and fringing flux around the air gap?

There are many studies in the literature on the sizing of inductors and determination of gap lengths, but there are few studies on the investigation of the inductance change and fringing flux around the air gap depending on the core material and gap length.