SWAMI VIVEKANANDA GOVERNMENT

MODEL SCHOOL, BLOCK: - LUNI

SESSION: - 2023- 24

NAME: - PIYUSH DETHA

CLASS: - XII
SUBJECT: - PHYSICS
ROLL NO.: - 11686588

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMINER

 Certificate
This is to certify that Mr. PIYUSH DETHA has
completed the project work on EDDY
CURRENT under the guidance of Mr. Mahendra
Patel Sir, during the academic year 2023-24 as per
the guidelines issued by Central Board of
Secondary Education [C.B.S.E.]. It is further
certified that this project is the individual work of
the candidate.

DATE: - dd /mm/ yyyy

TEACHER’S SIGNATURE
 Acknowledgment
I have the proud privilege of working under
guidance of my esteemed teachers and supervisor
Mr. Mahendra Patel Sir. I owe him a deep sense
of gratitude for his invaluable guidance, keen
interest and constant encouragement during the
course of this report.
I take this opportunity to express my
heartiest gratitude and sincere thanks to my
teacher and Swami Vivekananda Government
Model School, Block:- Luni, Jodhpur for
providing the necessary facilities for this project
report.

PIYUSH DETHA
 Content
INTRODUCTION

THEORY

PROPERTY OF EDDY CURRENT

APPLICATION

DRAWBACK

CONSTRUCTION

WORKING

PRECAUTIONS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Introduction
Eddy currents, often referred to as Foucault's currents, are electrical current loops
that are generated into conductors by a shifting magnetic field, in accordance with
Faraday's law of induction. When graphed, these circular currents within a metal
object mimic eddies or whirlpools in a liquid. In this investigatory project we will
learn more about them in-depth.
Have you noticed your car's speedometer? A little low magnet in the speed
indicator is attached to the car's drive shaft. It rotates based on the vehicle's speed.
Eddy currents have the effect of opposing the rotational motion and deflecting the
pointer at a specific angle. The calibrated scale and attached pointer show the
vehicle's speed.
Eddy currents waste energy because they tend to oppose one another.
Many beneficial forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, are transformed into heat
by eddy currents, which is typically not beneficial.
 Theory
In electromagnetism, eddy currents (also called Foucault's currents) are loops of
electric current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the
conductor according to Faraday's law of induction or by the relative motion of a
conductor in a magnetic field. Eddy currents flow in closed loops within
conductors, in planes perpendicular to the magnetic field. They can be induced
within nearby stationary conductors by a time-varying magnetic field created by an
AC electromagnet or transformer, for example, or by relative motion between a
magnet and a nearby conductor. The magnitude of the current in a given loop is
proportional to the strength of the magnetic field, the area of the loop, and the rate
of change of flux, and inversely proportional to the resistivity of the material.
When graphed, these circular currents within a piece of metal look vaguely like
eddies or whirlpools in a liquid.
By Lenz's law, an eddy current creates a magnetic field that opposes the change in
the magnetic field that created it, and thus eddy currents react back on the source
of the magnetic field. For example, a nearby conductive surface will exert a drag
force on a moving magnet that opposes its motion, due to eddy currents induced
in the surface by the moving magnetic field. This effect is employed in eddy
current brakes which are used to stop rotating power tools quickly when they are
turned off. The current flowing through the resistance of the conductor also
dissipates energy as heat in the material. Thus eddy currents are a cause of energy
loss in alternating current (AC) conductors, transformers, electric motors and
generators, and other AC machinery, requiring special construction such as
laminated magnetic cores or ferrite cores to minimize them.
Eddy currents are also used to heat objects in induction heating furnaces and
equipment, and to detect cracks and flaws in metal parts using eddy-current testing
instruments.
 Properties of Eddy Current
Circular Flow: Eddy currents circulate within the conductor in closed loops. The
direction of these loops depends on the orientation of the changing magnetic field.

Resistance: Eddy currents create resistance within the conductor. 'This resistance
leads to the conversion of electrical energy into heat energy, which can be both
beneficial (e.g., in induction heating) or undesirable (e.g., in transformers and
electric motors where energy loss occurs).

Dependent on Magnetic Field: The magnitude of eddy currents is directly

proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic field. Faster changes in the
magnetic field strength lead to stronger eddy currents.

Skin Effect: Eddy currents tend to concentrate near the surface of the conductor,
leading to what is known as the "skin effect." This means that the majority of the
current flows near the surface, while the core of the conductor carries relatively less

Magnetic Field Generation: Eddy currents themselves produce a magnetic field,

which opposes the original changing magnetic field that induced them. This
phenomenon is governed by Lenz's law, which states that the induced current will
always oppose the change that produced it.

Losses in Conductors: In applications such as transformers and motors, eddy

currents can cause energy losses in the form of heat. To minimize these losses,
conductive materials with laminated or layered structures are often used, which
disrupt the flow of eddy currents.
Electromagnetic field
AC
 Application of Eddy Currents
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Eddy currents are extensively used for flaw
detection, crack detection, and thickness measurements in materials without
causing any damage to the test object.

Metal Sorting: Eddy current systems are employed to separate different types of
metals for recycling purposes based on their electrical conductivity.

Eddy Current Brakes: In some trains and roller coasters, eddy current braking
systems are used to slow down or stop the vchicles smoothly without mechanical
wear and tear.

Induction Heating: Eddy currents are used to heat conductive materials for various
industrial processes such as welding, annealing, and hardening.

Speed Sensors: Eddy current sensors can be used as non-contact speed sensors in
machinery and vehicles.

Eddy Current Dampers: These dampers are used to reduce

vibrations in sensitive instruments and equipment.

Metal Detectors: Eddy current metal detectors are used in security screening
applications to detect metallic objects.

Proximity Sensor: Eddy current proximity sensors are utilized to detect the
presence or absence of a conductive target without physical contact.

Sorting Conductive Powders: Eddy current systems can be employed to sort and
separate conductive powders based only
Their particle size or composition.

Eddy Current Clutches: These clutches are used in various mechanical systems to
transmit torque smoothly.

Eddy Current Testing of Tubes: In heat exchangers and condensers, eddy current
testing is used to inspect the integrity of tubes.
Magnetic Levitation (Maglev): Eddy currents are involved in the magnetic levitation
systems used in some high-speed trains and transportation technologies.

Eddy Current Flow Meters: These meters are used to measure the flow rate of
electrically conductive fluids, like water, in pipes.

Eddy Current Couplings: In some machinery, eddy current couplings are used to
transmit torque between two rotating components without direct mechanical
contact.
 Drawbacks of Eddy Currents

Heat Generation: One of the major drawbacks is that eddy

currents can cause heat to be generated within the conductor.
This is particularly problematic in electrical devices because the
heat can cause damage to the components.

Energy Loss: Eddy currents lead to significant energy losses. The

energy used to generate these currents is transformed into heat,
which is generally a waste of energy.

Magnetic Core Saturation: If too large, eddy currents can saturate

the magnetic core of devices like transformers or induction coils.
This can reduce the effectiveness of these devices and also cause
them to overheat.

Noise: Eddy currents can cause the components of motors and

generators to vibrate, which leads to unwanted noise.

Reduced Efficiency: Their presence reduces the overall efficiency

of electrical devices and systems. 'This is especially evident in
transformers, generators, and electric motors.
C Y CLE

Interference: In certain applications, they can cause

electromagnetic interference or disturbance.

Core Losses: In electromagnetic devices such as transformers,

induction motors, etc., eddy currents cause core losses, leading to
higher electricity consumption.
 Practical Demonstration
Eddy current is such a complex topic which cannot be
understood by imagination or theory alone, so here we will use a
practical demonstration to make it easier to understand. In this
demonstration, we will build a working model based on eddy
current and try to understand all the principles and concepts
behind it.

Materials Required:-
• Cardboard
• Battery (9V)
• Switch/Key
• DC Motor
• Aluminum Can
• Cylindrical Magnet
• Iron stick/rod
• Some safety Pin.
 Construction
Step 1: Firstly, we will collect all the necessary materials listed on
the previous page

Step 2: Take the aluminum can and make a small hole in the
center of the top and bottom surfaces and fit the iron rod in it.
The can should be able to rotate freely in the rod.

Step3: Now take two safety pins and fix it on the cardboard in
such a way that they hold the can about 2cm above the surface of
cardboard.
EDIC

Step4: Fix the Cylindrical magnet to DC Motor as shown below.

Step5: Make a stand for Motor and fix it strongly on cardboard.

And make sure there should be at least 0.5cm gap between
Magnet (fixed in motor) and Aluminum can, As shown in second
picture.

Step6: Fix Battery and Switch on the cardboard and Connect

them to Motor. Now this working model project is ready to test
 Working
This project works on the combined principle of eddy currents and
electromagnetic induction. A cylindrical magnet (attached to a motor)
rotates at high speed, causing a strong and varying magnetic field to flow
along the aluminum can, generating small electrical currents (due to EMI),
commonly known as Eddy Currents, on its surface.
And this Eddy Current produces a small magnetic field on the surface of
the aluminum can (due to magnetic effect of electric current *), which
further interacts with the magnetic field of the cylindrical magnet, resulting
the aluminum can to rotate rapidly without any physical
contact.

Electromagnetic Induction (EMI): Electromagnetic induction is a

phenomenon in which the relative motion between a conductor
and a magnetic field produces a potential difference (voltage)
across the conductor.

Magnetic Effect of electric current: Magnetic Effects of

Electric Current is a phenomenon where a conductor behaves
like a magnet whenever an electric current passes through the
conductor.
 Precaution
1) Do not use heavy Aluminum can, cold drink & perfume can is
ideal for this project.

2) Use only Cylindrical magnet, as any other magnet do not work.

3) Make sure the Aluminum can is not touching the cardboard.

4) The distance between Magnet and Aluminum Can should not

be very much or less.

5) The orientation of Aluminum can and magnet should be very

straight.

6) If aluminum cane is rotating very slowly, then reduce the

Distance between magnet and aluminum can.

7) All the connection should be neat and tight.