Modeling of Eddy-Current Losses of Welded Laminated Electrical Steels

With the implementation of more stringent emissions standards, energy conversion efficiency in motor and transformer has drawn increasing attention. In this study, an analytical model to estimate the eddy-current losses of the welded electrical steel laminations has been developed. A numerical model has been developed to visualize the magnetic flux density, eddy-current density, and loss. The eddy-current losses obtained from the analytical model were in good agreement with those from the numerical model. Effects of weld bead size, sheet thickness, operating frequency, and magnetic flux density on the eddycurrent losses have been quantitatively investigated. The results showed that the eddy-current losses of the welded laminations increased with the increase of the weld bead radius. Meanwhile, the eddy-current losses of the thinner laminations were much more sensitive to the welding process, especially at high operating frequency and high magnetic flux density. This work provided a quantitative model to calculate the eddy-current losses of the welded laminations.