Experimental Verification and Application of the Three Dimensional Finite Element Magnetic Vector Potential Method in Electrical Apparatus

The three dimensional magnetic field surrounding an 861 turn coil as well as that surrounding and within a single phase 1.5 kvA shell type transformer were calculated using the three dimensional finite element magnetic vector potential (m.v.p.) formulation described in a companion paper. Plots of equal magnetic vector potential contours which display vividly the three dimensional nature of the fields are given. Experimental verification of calculated flux densities and device inductance, given here for the first time, demonstrated the validity and accuracy of the given approach. Excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated values was achieved. Potential applications of this method to more complex problems, where conventional two dimensional methods are inadequate, are discussed in light of the given results.