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Steinmetz Analogy Between Magnetic and Dielectric

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2019 The OM Particle 1

Steinmetz Analogy Between Magnetic and Dielectric

Lori-Anne Gardi

1. Introduction
This document is paraphrased from a book called "Electric Discharges, Waves and Impulses, and other Transients
[1]" containing a series of lectures by Charles Proteus Steinmetz. In Lecture II, starting at page 10, Steinmetz describes
an analogy which has been lost by the pages of time between magnetic fields and dielectric fields. In this document, I
reorganized the information to highlight this analogy. The text is almost identical to the original but I paraphrased at
times to make the language more clear.

1.1. Magnetic Flux, φ

The magnetic flux , φ , (magnetic field) of a circuit is proportional to the current, i, with a proportionality factor, L,
which is called the inductance of the circuit.

φ = Li (1)

1.2. Dielectric Flux, Ψ

The dielectric flux , Ψ, (dielectric field) of a circuit is proportional to the voltage, e, with a proportionality factor, C,
which is called the capacity of the circuit.

Ψ = Ce (2)

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2 Steinmetz Analogy Between Magnetic and Dielectric Vol. 1

1.3. Magnetic Field, φ

The magnetic field represents stored kinetic energy, w. To produce it, power, p, must therefore be supplied to the
circuit. Power equals voltage times current, p = e0 i. To produce the magnetic field of the current i, a voltage, e0 , must
be consumed in the circuit. The voltage, e0 , is called the inductance voltage.

1.4. Dielectric Field, Ψ

The dielectric field represents stored potential energy, w. To produce it, power, p, must therefore be supplied to the
circuit. Power equals current times voltage, p = i0 e. To produce the dielectric field of the voltage e, a current, i0 , must
be consumed in the circuit. The current, i0 , is called the capacity current.

1.5. Magnetic Field, φ

Since no power is required to maintain the field, but power is required to produce it, the inductance voltage, e0 , must
be proportional to the increase in the magnetic field.
dφ di
e0 = =L (3)
dt dt

1.6. Dielectric Field, Ψ

Since no power is required to maintain the field, but power is required to produce it, the capacity current, i0 , must be
proportional to the increase in the dielectric field:
dΨ de
i0 = =C (4)
dt dt

1.7. Magnetic Field, φ

When i is decreasing making e0 negative, p becomes negative and power is returned into the circuit. The energy
supplied by the power, p, that is, the energy of the magnetic field, φ = Li, is:

Li2
Z Z
w= p dt = Li di = (5)
2

1.8. Dielectric Field, Ψ

When e is decreasing making i0 negative, p becomes negative and power is returned into the circuit. The energy
supplied by the power, p, that is, the energy of the dielectric field, Ψ = Ce, is:

Ce2
Z Z
w= p dt = Ce de = (6)
2

1.9. Magneto Motive Force, M.M.F.

To produce a magnetic flux, a magneto motive force, m.m.f. is required. The m.m.f. per unit length of the magnetic
circuit is called the magnetizing force or magnetic pressure gradient.

1.10. Electro Motive Force, E.M.F.

To produce a dielectric flux, an electro motive force, e.m.f., is required. The e.m.f. per unit length of the dielectric
circuit is called the electrifying force or the voltage gradient.

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 2019 The OM Particle 3

2. Discussion
As you can see, the dielectric field and associated capacity current is exactly analogous to the magnetic field and
associated inductance voltage. In this manner, the dielectric field of the circuit can be treated with the same simplicity
as the magnetic field of a circuit, using the same concept of lines of force, a.k.a. flux lines.
Unfortunately, the prehistoric notion of the electrostatic charge on the conductor still persists, and by its use, destroys
the beautiful analogy between the two incommensurate components of the electric field, the magnetic field and the
dielectric field. There is obviously no sense in thinking of the capacity current as current which "charges the conductor
with a quantity of electricity", as there is in thinking of the inductance voltage as "charging the conductor with a
quantity of magnetism." Many text books still speak of electric charges on the conductor, and the energy stored by
them, without consideration of the fact that the dielectric energy is not stored on the surface of the conductor, but in
the space outside of the conductor, where the magnetic field also resides.

3. Dielectric and Magnetic Incommensurability

3.1. Lines of Force
Dielectric lines of force terminate at conductors.
Magnetic lines of force are closed upon themselves.
Dielectric lines of force are orthogonal to Magnetic lines of force and vice versa.

3.2. Voltage vs Current

Dielectric field is proportional to voltage.
Magnetic field is proportional to current.
To produce a dielectric field, current must be consumed in a circuit.
To produce a magnetic field, voltage must be consumed in a circuit.

3.3. Potential vs Kinetic

Dielectric lines of force store potential energy.
Magnetic lines of force store kinetic energy.

3.4. Iron filings vs Ferrocell

Dielectric lines of force are visible via iron filings.
Magnetic lines of force are visible via the ferrocell.

3.5. Tension vs Pressure

Dielectric lines of force are lines-of-tension with units [N] = [J/m].
Magnetic lines of force are lines-of-pressure with units [N/m2 ] = [J/m3 ].

3.6. Attraction vs Repulsion

DielectroPotential lines-of-tension are responsible for attraction.
MagnetoKinetic lines-of-pressure are responsible for repulsion.

REFERENCES
1. Steinmetz, Charles Proteus, and PBD AM. "Electric Discharges, Waves and Impulses." In Short-circuit of an alternator, p. 37.
McGraw, 1914.

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