NNPC FSTP Technicians

Fundamentals of
Electricity
Course Code: FY7W 04
Lesson 9

Contents

Magnetism

Performance Objectives
Upon Completion of this Course, students will be able to:
Define what a magnet is and explain what the term
magnetism means
Describe a permanent magnet and how it is made
Describe a temporary magnet and how it is made
List & State the Laws of Magnetism
Describe magnetic induction
Describe how a magnetic shield works
Store a magnet correctly

Introduction
Something which attracts iron and steel is called a
magnet. There is a mineral called magnetite which
is a natural magnet. However, natural magnets
have no practical value. The magnets which are
used in industry are man-made. They are made
from iron or iron alloys such as steel.
Magnetism is involved in the operation of many
electrical devices, such as generators, motors,
measuring instruments, and transformers. For this
reason, you need to know the basic principles of
magnetism so that you can understand how
electrical machinery operates.

About Magnetism
A magnet is a piece of material which can attract
and hold pieces of iron. The invisible force that
makes things stick to a magnet is called
magnetism. Magnetism can attract materials such
as iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt. These materials
are called magnetic materials.
Most magnetic materials contain iron. Therefore,
these materials are called Ferro-magnetic
materials.
Magnetic materials are also called
Ferro-magnetic materials.
You cannot see, feel, hear, or smell magnetism.
However, you can see, feel or hear the effects of
magnetism.

Metals Used for Making Magnets

The
are:

most common metals used for making magnets

Steel
Cobalt
Nickel
Aluminium

These metals and other metals are used to make an

alloy. An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals.
Most magnets are made from steel alloys.

Types of Magnets
There are many different magnets. A magnet can be
any shape and size. However, magnets can be
divided into four groups.
These groups are:
natural magnets.
permanent magnets.
temporary magnets.
electromagnets.

Natural Magnets 1
These are found naturally in the earth. A mineral
which is a natural magnet is called magnetite. Natural
magnets were used thousand of years ago. The
ancient Greeks and Chinese used natural magnets
as a simple compass.

Natural Magnets 2
The earth is a large natural magnet. The diagram below
shows the magnetic north pole of the earth.

If a magnet is suspended so that it is free to move, it will

always point in the same direction in relation to the earth

Natural Magnets 3
If a magnet is suspended so that it is free to move, it will always
point in the same direction in relation to the earth.

The ends of a magnet are called the poles. One end of the
magnet will always point north as shown above. This end is
called the north pole of the magnet. The other end of the
magnet is the south pole.
This is the principle of the magnetic compass. The needle in
the compass is a small magnetic bar and the north pole of
this magnetic bar always points north

Permanent Magnets 1
In industry it is better to use permanent
magnets
than
natural
magnets.
Permanent magnets are man-made
magnets made from special steels and
alloys.
Hardened steel and certain alloys of
nickel, cobalt and aluminium can be
magnetised so that they keep their
magnetism.

Permanent Magnets 2
To make a permanent magnet you must place the steel or alloy bar
in a strong magnetic field as shown below

The coil method of making a permanent magnet uses the

magnetic effect of an electric current.
To make a permanent magnet, you need a very strong magnetic
force. However, when the material is magnetised it keeps the
magnetism. It is a permanent magnet.

Permanent Magnets 3
Hard magnetic materials are used to make permanent magnets.
The diagram below shows two types of permanent magnets.

Permanent magnets are used in meters, instruments, telephones,

speakers, etc.

Electromagnets 1
An electromagnet consists of a coil of wire which is wound
around a soft iron core. The electromagnet is magnetised when
there is current flowing through the coil.

The electromagnet is demagnetised when the current is

switched off!

Electromagnets 2
Electromagnets are sometimes called solenoids.
They are used in switchgear, motors, cranes, etc., as
illustrated below

The Laws of
Magnetism

Laws of Magnetism 1
The basic facts about magnetism are as
follows:
The earth is a large permanent
magnet
The area around a magnet where
magnetism can be detected is called
the magnetic field.

Laws of Magnetism 2
The magnetic field of a magnet is made up of invisible
lines of force technically called lines of magnetic flux.
Lines of magnetic flux always form closed loops.
Lines of magnetic flux always take the path of
least resistance and never cross each other

Bar Magnet

Laws of Magnetism 3
The ends of the magnet are called poles. Every magnet
has a north pole and a south pole. The magnetic lines of
flux begin and end at the poles of a magnet.

Laws of Magnetism 4
Magnetic lines of flux exit a north pole, and enter the
south pole of a magnet. Like poles repel. Unlike
poles attract.

Laws of Magnetism 5
A magnet must have two poles; a north pole and a
south pole

Laws of Magnetism 7
Magnets attract other magnetic materials which are inside their
magnetic field. Magnets which are suspended so they can move
freely will align themselves parallel with the earth's magnetic
field.

Every material has some kind of magnetism. There are no

magnetic insulators. Magnetic force can pass through any
material.

Observing the Effects

of Magnetism

Experiment 1
The magnetic lines of flux that surround a magnet are invisible.
However, their effects can be seen by carrying out a simple experiment
Experiment 1:
Place eight or more small compasses within the magnetic field of a bar
magnet. The compasses will align themselves with the magnetic field of
the bar magnet. The compasses indicate the north and south poles of
the magnet and the direction of the magnetic field.

Experiment 2
Place a piece of glass over a bar magnet. Sprinkle some iron filings on
the surface of the glass. The magnetising force of the bar magnet goes
through the glass. As shown below, each iron filing becomes a temporary
magnet. Tap the glass. You can see how the iron filings align themselves
with the magnetic field. They form a definite pattern which shows the
lines of force in the magnetic field.

The magnetic field is very strong at the poles. The magnetic field
weakens as the distance from the poles increases. Notice also that the
magnetic field extends from one pole to the other. The lines of force make
a loop around the magnet.
Note: This method can be used for any shape of magnet.

Magnetic Induction
Magnetic induction happens when a piece of un-magnetised magnetic
material is attracted to a magnet. The un-magnetised material is
magnetised by induction. An opposite pole is induced in the soft
magnetic material. This opposite pole is then attracted to the magnet

The soft iron nail is attracted to the magnet because it has an induced
opposite pole. As shown above, when another nail is attracted, this also
has an induced opposite pole to the first nail. Magnetic Induction takes
place when any un-magnetised magnetic material is attracted to a
magnet. Therefore an un-magnetised piece of iron can become
magnetised through the principle of magnetic induction.

Magnetic Shielding 1
There is no known insulator for magnetic flux.
Magnetic lines of flux will travel through any
material.
If a non-magnetic material (e.g. glass) is placed in a
magnetic field, it will have little effect on the
magnetic flux. Although glass is a good electrical
insulator, the magnetic flux will travel through it.
However, it is possible to change the direction of
magnetic lines of flux. Magnetic lines of flux follow
the path of least resistance.

Magnetic Shielding 2
If a magnetic material (e.g. soft iron) is placed in a magnetic field,
the flux may be redirected, as illustrated below.

The flux takes the path of least resistance. Soft iron is a better
magnetic conductor than air. Therefore, the magnetic lines of flux
change direction and go through the soft iron.
THIS IS THE PRINCIPLE OF MAGNETIC SHIELDING

Magnetic Shielding 3
Sensitive instruments and electrical meters can be
affected by stray magnetic fields.
THIS MEANS THEY WILL NOT BE ACCURATE.
There are many stray magnetic fields in the
surrounding atmosphere. Radio/TV transmitters,
satellites, power cables etc. all produce magnetic
fields.
Because you cannot insulate against a magnetic
field, sensitive instruments and electrical meters
must be shielded against stray magnetic fields.

Magnetic Shielding 4
A magnetic shield can be created by placing a soft-iron
case (shield) around the instrument.

Magnetic Shielding 5
Any stray magnetic field will go through the path of
least resistance. The path of least resistance is the
shield made of magnetic soft-iron.
There is an empty space filled with air between the
shield and the instrument. Air is a non-magnetic
substance. Therefore the stray magnetic field does not
go through the instrument.
It goes through the
magnetic shield around the instrument.
In this way, sensitive instruments can be shielded
against stray magnetic fields.

Care of Magnets 1
Permanent magnets can lose their magnetism if
they are not kept properly.
This may be due to:
Too much heat
Too much vibration
Hard knocks or bumps
Incorrect storage

Care of Magnets 2

Many sensitive instruments and meters use permanent

magnets for their operation. Therefore, these instruments
must be kept away from heat, vibration and knocks or bumps.
Magnets can also become weak from loss of flux. Magnets
must be stored with a soft-iron keeper. The keeper will prevent
flux loss. The keeper keeps the flux circulating inside the
magnet.

Care of Magnets 3
Bar magnets can be stored without a keeper if there are two or
more.

Make sure the opposite poles are placed together when you
store bar magnets this way.

Review 1
Magnetite is a naturally magnetic material
Magnetic materials which contain iron are called
Ferro-magnetic materials
Steel, cobalt, nickel and aluminium are common
Ferro-magnetic materials
A magnet can be any shape or size
Magnets can be divided into 4 groups:
natural magnets
permanent magnets
temporary magnets
electromagnets

Review 2
The earth is a large natural magnet
If a magnet can move freely it will align itself with the
magnetic field of the earth
Permanent magnets are man-made
A strong magnetic force is needed to make a permanent
magnet
The materials which can be made into permanent
magnets are called hard magnetic materials
The materials which can be made into temporary
magnets are called soft magnetic materials
Electromagnets are magnetised by an electric current
The lines in a magnetic field are called lines of magnetic
flux

Review 3
Magnetic lines of flux run from the north to the south
pole of a magnet
Magnetic lines of flux can pass through any material
Like poles repel, unlike poles attract
Magnetic induction happens when a piece of unmagnetised magnetic material is attracted to a
magnet
Equipment cannot be insulated against magnetism
but it can be shielded against magnetism
Nearly all electrical devices produce a magnetic field
A keeper must be used to store magnets, so they
keep their magnetism.