Science and Reactor Fundamentals Electrical

CNSC Technical Training Group

54

Notes
3.4.3 Iron (or Core) Losses
The iron loss is due to stray eddy currents formed in the transformer
core. As you will recall from module 1 of this series, lines of flux are
formed around the current-carrying conductors. The majority of the

flux is as indicated in the following Figure 8, flowing around the core.

Figure 8
Circulating Core Flux
Some of the flux however, will try to flow at angles to the core and
will cause eddy currents to be set up in the core itself. The term eddy is
used because it is aside from the main flow. To combat this effect, the
core is laminated as illustrated in Figure 9. The laminations provide
small gaps between the plates. As it is easier for magnetic flux to flow
through iron than air or oil, stray flux that can cause core losses is
minimized.
Some of the flux however, will try to flow at angles to the core and
will cause eddy currents to be set up in the core itself. The term eddy is
used because it is aside from the main flow. To combat this effect, the
core is laminated as illustrated in Figure 9. The laminations provide
small gaps between the plates. As it is easier for magnetic flux to flow
through iron than air or oil, stray flux that can cause core losses is
minimized.

Revision 1 March 2003